ELTR120 Sec11 PDF

ELTR 120 (Semiconductors 1), section 1
Recommended schedule
Day 1
Topics: Semiconductor theory and PN junctions
Questions: 1 through 20
Lab Exercise: Rectifier diode characteristics (question 91)
Day 2
Topics: Diodes and rectifier circuits
Lab Exercise: Full-wave, center-tap rectifier circuit (question 92)
Day 3
Topics: AC-DC power supply circuits and troubleshooting
Lab Exercise: Full-wave bridge rectifier circuit (question 93)
Day 4
Topics: Special diodes and zener voltage regulators
Lab Exercise: Zener diode voltage regulator circuit (question 94)
Day 5
Topics: Electron versus Conventional flow notation
Lab Exercise: LED current limiting (question 95)
Day 6
Exam 1: includes rectifier circuit performance assessment
Project selection: Initial project design checked by instructor and components selected (Dual output
AC-DC power supply strongly recommended)
Lab Exercise: Work on project
Troubleshooting practice problems

General concept practice and challenge problems

Questions: 107 through the end of the worksheet
Impending deadlines
Project due at end of ELTR120, Section 3
Question 96: Sample project grading criteria
1
Skill standards addressed by this course section
EIA Raising the Standard; Electronics Technician Skills for Today and Tomorrow, June 1994
D Technical Skills – Discrete Solid-State Devices

D.01 Demonstrate an understanding of the properties of semiconducting materials.
D.02 Demonstrate an understanding of PN junctions.
D.05 Demonstrate an understanding of special diodes and transistors. Partially met – special diodes only.
D.06 Understand principles and operations of diode circuits.
D.07 Fabricate and demonstrate diode circuits.
D.08 Troubleshoot and repair diode circuits.
E Technical Skills – Analog Circuits
E.07 Understand principles and operations of linear power supplies and filters.
E.08 Fabricate and demonstrate linear power supplies and filters.
E.09 Troubleshoot and repair linear power supplies and filters.
B Basic and Practical Skills – Communicating on the Job

B.01 Use effective written and other communication skills. Met by group discussion and completion of labwork.
B.03 Employ appropriate skills for gathering and retaining information. Met by research and preparation
prior to group discussion.
B.04 Interpret written, graphic, and oral instructions. Met by completion of labwork.
B.06 Use language appropriate to the situation. Met by group discussion and in explaining completed labwork.
B.07 Participate in meetings in a positive and constructive manner. Met by group discussion.
B.08 Use job-related terminology. Met by group discussion and in explaining completed labwork.
B.10 Document work projects, procedures, tests, and equipment failures. Met by project construction and/or
troubleshooting assessments.
C Basic and Practical Skills – Solving Problems and Critical Thinking
C.01 Identify the problem. Met by research and preparation prior to group discussion.
C.03 Identify available solutions and their impact including evaluating credibility of information, and locating
information. Met by research and preparation prior to group discussion.
C.07 Organize personal workloads. Met by daily labwork, preparatory research, and project management.
C.08 Participate in brainstorming sessions to generate new ideas and solve problems. Met by group discussion.
D Basic and Practical Skills – Reading
D.01 Read and apply various sources of technical information (e.g. manufacturer literature, codes, and
regulations). Met by research and preparation prior to group discussion.
E Basic and Practical Skills – Proficiency in Mathematics
E.01 Determine if a solution is reasonable.
E.02 Demonstrate ability to use a simple electronic calculator.
E.05 Solve problems and [sic] make applications involving integers, fractions, decimals, percentages, and
ratios using order of operations.
E.06 Translate written and/or verbal statements into mathematical expressions.
E.09 Read scale on measurement device(s) and make interpolations where appropriate. Met by oscilloscope
usage.
E.12 Interpret and use tables, charts, maps, and/or graphs.
E.13 Identify patterns, note trends, and/or draw conclusions from tables, charts, maps, and/or graphs.
E.15 Simplify and solve algebraic expressions and formulas.
E.16 Select and use formulas appropriately.
E.17 Understand and use scientific notation.
F Basic and Practical Skills – Proficiency in Physics
F.04 Understand principles of electricity including its relationship to the nature of matter.
2
Common areas of confusion for students
Difficult concept: Quantum physics.

One of my ”pet peeves” regarding introductory electronics textbooks is that they commonly attempt to
explain the workings of PN semiconductor junctions while holding to Rutherford’s obsolete planetary model
of the atom. Electrons do not circle atomic nuclei like little planets, free to travel arbitrary orbits. Instead,
they may only assume a limited number of energy states, necessitating ”quantum leaps” to change between
them. It is this discrete behavior that makes semiconductor devices possible. Thankfully, there are a great
many plainly-understandable resources on the internet and in some modern textbooks explaining this, and
the relationship to current in semiconductor materials.
Difficult concept: RMS versus peak and average measurements.

The very idea of assigning a fixed number for AC voltage or current that (by definition) constantly
changes magnitude and direction seems strange. Consequently, there is more than one way to do it. We may
assign that value according to the highest magnitude reached in a cycle, in which case we call it the peak
measurement. We may mathematically integrate the waveform over time to figure the mean magnitude, in
which case we call it the average measurement. Or we may figure out what level of DC (voltage or current)
causes the exact same amount of average power to be dissipated by a standard resistive load, in which case
we call it the RMS measurement. One common mistake here is to think that the relationship between RMS,
average, and peak measurements is a matter of fixed ratios. The number ”0.707” is memorized by every
beginning electronics student as the ratio between RMS and peak, but what is commonly overlooked is that
this particular ratio holds true for perfect sine-waves only! A wave with a different shape will have a different
mathematical relationship between peak and RMS values.
Difficult concept: Zener diode voltage regulator operation.

Zener diode voltage regulators are often difficult for students to grasp because the diodes themselves
are so highly nonlinear. One cannot apply any variation of Ohm’s Law to a zener diode, and this makes the
circuit seem intractable at first glance. A ”trick” I often apply to the circuits is to first imagine the zener
diode failed open and see whether or not the voltage across the (open) diode terminals exceeds the diode’s
zener voltage rating. If so, then you know the diode will actually be clipping (limiting) voltage to that rated
value, and you may proceed with your circuit analysis assuming that much voltage across any components
parallel to the zener diode. If not, you know the diode will not be conducting current, and you may treat it
as if it is truly failed open!
Difficult concept: Fourier analysis.

No doubt about it, Fourier analysis is a strange concept to understand. Strange, but incredibly useful!
While it is relatively easy to grasp the principle that we may create a square-shaped wave (or any other
symmetrical waveshape) by mixing together the right combinations of sine waves at different frequencies and
amplitudes, it is far from obvious that any periodic waveform may be decomposed into a series of sinusoidal
waves the same way. The practical upshot of this is that is it possible to consider very complex waveshapes
as being nothing more than a bunch of sine waves added together. Since sine waves are easy to analyze in the
context of electric circuits, this means we have a way of simplifying what would otherwise be a dauntingly
complex problem: analyzing how circuits respond to non-sinusoidal waveforms.
The actual ”nuts and bolts” of Fourier analysis is highly mathematical and well beyond the scope of this
course. Right now all I want you to grasp is the concept and significance of equivalence between arbitrary
waveshapes and series of sine waves.
A great way to experience this equivalence is to play with a digital oscilloscope with a built-in spectrum
analyzer. By introducing different wave-shape signals to the input and switching back and forth between
the time-domain (scope) and frequency-domain (spectrum) displays, you may begin to see patterns that will
enlighten your understanding.
3
Common mistake: Failing to respect shock hazard of line-powered circuits.
Students should review the principles of electrical safety prior to building the dual-output AC/DC power
supply. Unlike nearly all the previous labs which harbored little or no shock hazard, this project can shock
you. The most important rule you can follow is to simply unplug the circuit from the AC line before reaching
toward any part of the circuit with your hand or with a conductive tool. The only things you should touch
a live circuit with are test probes for measurement equipment! Another common mistake is to fail to remove
conductive jewelry (bracelets, rings, etc.) prior to working with line-powered circuits.
4
Questions
Question 1
In any electrically conductive substance, what are charge carriers? Identify the charge carriers in
metallic substances, semiconducting substances, and conductive liquids.
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Question 2
A common conceptual model of electrons within atoms is the ”planetary” model, with electrons depicted
as orbiting satellites whirling around the ”planet” of the nucleus. The physicist Ernest Rutherford is known
as the inventor of this atomic model.
A major improvement over this conceptual model of the atom came from Niels Bohr, who introduced
the idea that electrons inhabited ”stationary states” around the nucleus of an atom, and could only assume
a new state by way of a quantum leap: a sudden ”jump” from one energy level to another.
What led Bohr to his radical proposal of ”quantum leaps” as an alternative to Rutherford’s model?
What experimental evidence led scientists to abandon the old planetary model of the atom, and how does
this evidence relate to modern electronics?
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Question 3
In solitary atoms, electrons are free to inhabit only certain, discrete energy states. However, in solid
materials where there are many atoms in close proximity to each other, bands of energy states form. Explain
what it means for there to be an energy ”band” in a solid material, and why these ”bands” form.
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Question 4
Engineers and scientists often use energy band diagrams to graphically illustrate the energy levels of
electrons in different substances. Electrons are shown as solid dots:
Conduction band
Some metals
Valence band
(unfilled)
Conduction band
Overlap Other metals
Valence band
Energy gap
Conduction band
Semiconductors
(intrinsic)
Valence band
Energy gap
Conduction band
Insulators
Valence band
Based on these diagrams, answer the following questions:

• Which type of material is the best conductor of electricity, and why?
• Which type of material is the worst conductor of electricity, and why?
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Question 5
Sadly, many introductory textbooks oversimplify the definition of a semiconductor by declaring them
to be substances whose atoms contain four valence-shell (outer level) electrons. Silicon and germanium are
traditionally given as the two major semiconductor materials used.
However, there is more to a ”semiconductor” than this simple definition. Take for instance the element
carbon, which also has four valence electrons just like atoms of silicon and germanium. But not all forms
of carbon are semiconducting: diamond is (at high temperatures), but graphite is not, and microscopic
tubes known as ”carbon nanotubes” may be made either conducting or semiconducting just by varying their
diameter and ”twist rate.”
Provide a more accurate definition of what makes a ”semiconductor,” based on electron bands. Also,
name some other semiconducting substances.
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Question 6
If a pure (”intrinsic”) semiconductor material is heated, the thermal energy liberates some valence-band
electrons into the conduction band. The vacancies left behind in the valence band are called holes:
Conduction band
Valence band
Increasing
electron
energy
If an electrical voltage is applied across the heated semiconducting substance, with positive on the left
and negative on the right, what will this do to the energy bands, and how will this affect both the electrons
and the holes?
? ?
? ?
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Question 7
In perfectly pure (”intrinsic”) semiconductors, the only way charge carriers can exist is for valence
electrons to ”leap” into the conduction band with the application of sufficient energy, leaving a hole, or
vacancy, behind in the valence band:
Valence electron leaping

into conduction band
Conduction band
Valence band
With sufficient thermal energy, these electron-hole pairs will form spontaneously. At room temperature,
however, this activity is slight.
We may greatly enhance charge carrier formation by adding specific impurities to the semiconducting
material. The energy states of atoms having different electron configurations do not precisely ”blend” with
the electron bands of the parent semiconductor crystal, causing additional energy levels to form.
Some types of impurities will cause extra donor electrons to lurk just beneath the main conduction band
of the crystal. These types of impurities are called pentavalent, because they have 5 valence electrons per
atom rather than 4 as the parent substance typically possesses:
Doped with a "pentavalent" impurity
Conduction band
"Donor" electrons
Valence band
Other types of impurities will cause vacant electron levels (acceptor ”holes”) to form just above the
main valence band of the crystal. These types of impurities are called trivalent, because they have 3 valence
electrons per atom instead of 4:
8
Doped with a "trivalent" impurity
Conduction band
"Acceptor" holes
Valence band
Compare the ease of forming free (conduction-band) electrons in a semiconductor material having lots
of ”donor” electrons, against that of an intrinsic (pure) semiconductor material. Which type of material will
be more electrically conductive?
Likewise, compare the ease of forming valence-band holes in a semiconductor material having lots of
”acceptor” holes, against that of an intrinsic (pure) semiconductor material. Which type of material will be
more electrically conductive?
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Question 8
What type of substance(s) must be added to an intrinsic semiconductor in order to produce ”donor”
electrons? When this is done, how do we denote this type of ”doped” semiconducting substance?
Likewise, what type of substance(s) must be added to an intrinsic semiconductor in order to produce
”acceptor” holes? When this is done, how to we denote this type of ”doped” semiconducting substance?
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Question 9
In extrinsic semiconductors, what are majority carriers and how do they differ from minority carriers?
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Question 10
Explain what the Fermi level is for a substance.
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Question 11
Shown here are two energy diagrams: one for a ”P” type semiconducting material and another for an
”N” type.
P N
Conduction band
Ef
"Acceptor" holes
"Donor" electrons
Ef
Valence band
Increasing
electron
energy
Next is an energy diagram showing the initial state when these two pieces of semiconducting material
are brought into contact with each other. This is known as a flatband diagram:
"Flatband" diagram -- temporary state!
P N
Conduction band
Ef2
"Acceptor" holes
"Donor" electrons
Ef1
Valence band
The state represented by the ”flatband” diagram is most definitely a temporary one. The two different
Fermi levels are incompatible with one another in the absence of an external electric field.
Draw a new energy diagram representing the final energy states after the two Fermi levels have equalized.
Note: Ef represents the Fermi energy level, and not a voltage. In physics, E always stands for energy
and V for electric potential (voltage).
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Question 12
What happens to the thickness of the depletion region in a PN junction when an external voltage is
applied to it?
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Question 13
Draw an energy diagram for a PN semiconductor junction under the influence of a reverse external
voltage.
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Question 14
Draw an energy diagram for a PN semiconductor junction under the influence of a forward external
voltage.
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Question 15
Draw an energy diagram for a PN semiconductor junction showing the motion of electrons and holes
conducting an electric current.
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Question 16
Most introductory textbooks will tell you that a silicon PN junction drops 0.7 volts when forward-biased,
and a germanium PN junction drops 0.3 volts when forward biased. Design a circuit that tests the ”forward
voltage” (VF ) of a PN-junction diode, so you may measure the voltage yourself, without the use of a special
diode-testing meter.
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Question 17
If a semiconductor PN junction is reverse-biased, ideally no continuous current will go through it.
However, in real life there will be a small amount of reverse-bias current that goes through the junction.
How is this possible? What allows this reverse current to flow?
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Question 18
The relationship between voltage and current for a PN junction is described by this equation, sometimes
referred to as the ”diode equation,” or ”Shockley’s diode equation” after its discoverer:
qVD
ID = IS (e N kT − 1)
Where,
ID = Current through the PN junction, in amps
IS = PN junction saturation current, in amps (typically 1 picoamp)
e = Euler’s number ≈ 2.718281828
q = Electron unit charge, 1.6 × 10−19 coulombs
VD = Voltage across the PN junction, in volts
N = Nonideality coefficient, or emission coefficient (typically between 1 and 2)
k = Boltzmann’s constant, 1.38 × 10−23
T = Junction temperature, degrees Kelvin
At first this equation may seem very daunting, until you realize that there are really only three variables
in it: ID , VD , and T . All the other terms are constants. Since in most cases we assume temperature is
fairly constant as well, we are really only dealing with two variables: diode current and diode voltage. Based
on this realization, re-write the equation as a proportionality rather than an equality, showing how the two
variables of diode current and voltage relate:
ID ∝ . . .
Based on this simplified equation, what would an I/V graph for a PN junction look like? How does this
graph compare against the I/V graph for a resistor?
ID
VD
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Question 19
In order to simplify analysis of circuits containing PN junctions, a ”standard” forward voltage drop is
assumed for any conducting junction, the exact figure depending on the type of semiconductor material the
junction is made of.
How much voltage is assumed to be dropped across a conducting silicon PN junction? How much voltage
is assumed for a forward-biased germanium PN junction? Identify some factors that cause the real forward
voltage drop of a PN junction to deviate from its ”standard” figure.
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Question 20
Measure the forward voltage drop of a silicon rectifying diode, such as a model 1N4001. How close is the
measured forward voltage drop to the ”ideal” figure usually assumed for silicon PN junctions? What happens
when you increase the temperature of the diode by holding on to it with your fingers? What happens when
you decrease the temperature of the diode by touching an ice cube to it?
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Question 21
How is it possible to determine the polarity of a rectifying diode (which terminal is the anode, and
which terminal is the cathode) from its physical appearance?
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Question 22
The ”1N400x” series of rectifying diodes are very popular for low-current applications. By ”1N400x,” I
mean the 1N4001, 1N4002, 1N4003, . . . 1N4007. Only one parameter differs between these different diode
models. What parameter is this, and what is its significance?
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Question 23
Describe the operation of this diode testing circuit:
LED1
R1 LED2
Diode to be tested
Identify what the two light-emitting diodes (LEDs) will do when testing these three types of diodes:
• Good diode
• Diode failed shorted
• Diode failed open
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Question 24
A useful piece of test equipment for semiconductor components is a curve tracer, used to produce
current/voltage graphs for a component being tested. The graphs are typically displayed on an oscilloscope
screen. Here is a very simple curve tracer circuit, designed to be used with an oscilloscope in X-Y mode:
Component
being tested
10 kΩ
100 Ω
Gnd Y X
(connections to oscilloscope)
Describe what type of trace would be drawn by this circuit on an oscilloscope screen if a resistor was
being tested. Then, show the trace for a normal rectifying diode.
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Question 25
Suppose we have an application where a DC generator provides power to charge a secondary-cell battery:
Gen
The only problem with this setup is, the generator tries to act as a motor when the engine turning it is
shut off, drawing power from the battery and discharging it. How could we use a rectifying diode to prevent
this from happening?
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Question 26
What could you do if you had an application for a rectifying diode that required a forward current
rating of 2.5 amps, but you only had model 1N4001 diodes available to use? How could you use multiple
1N4001 rectifying diodes to handle this much current?
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Question 27
Suppose you were building a simple half-wave rectifier circuit for a 480 volt AC source. The diode needs
to withstand the full (peak) voltage of this AC source every other half-cycle of the waveform, or else it will
fail. The bad news is, the only diodes you have available for building this rectifier circuit are model 1N4002
diodes.
Describe how you could use multiple 1N4002 rectifying diodes to handle this much reverse voltage.
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Question 28
Find one or two real diodes and bring them with you to class for discussion. Identify as much information
as you can about your diodes prior to discussion:
• Polarity (which terminal is cathode and which is anode)
• Forward voltage drop
• Continuous current rating
• Surge current rating
• Continuous power rating
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Question 29
What would this permanent-magnet DC motor do, if powered by a source of AC voltage?
Low-voltage
AC power supply
12
6 6
Permanent magnet
electric motor
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Question 30
What would this permanent-magnet DC motor do, if powered by the following circuit?
Low-voltage
AC power supply
12
6 6
Diode
Permanent magnet
electric motor
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Question 31
What would this permanent-magnet DC motor do, if powered by the following circuit?
Low-voltage
AC power supply
12
6 6
Diode
Permanent magnet
electric motor
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Question 32
Some inexpensive household lamps use a diode to achieve two-position light control (dim and bright):
Dim
Bright
On/Off
Explain how this circuit is able to make the light bulb glow brighter and dimmer.
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Question 33
Trace the flow of all currents in this half of the AC cycle (note the polarity symbols near the transformer’s
primary winding terminals):
+ -
Load
Now, trace the flow of all currents in the other half of the AC cycle (note the polarity symbols near the
transformer’s primary winding terminals):
- +
Load
Also, determine the polarity of DC voltage across the load resistor.

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Question 34
In this rectifier circuit, the output voltage is less than half of the secondary winding’s rated voltage (12
volts). Why is this?
117 V / 12 V CT
To 117 VAC
power source
Load
Also, determine whether this is a half-wave or a full-wave rectifier circuit, and explain your answer.
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Question 35
A very common form of full-wave rectifier circuit is the bridge rectifier. Typically, it is drawn as a
”diamond” of four diodes:
DC out
AC in
Draw the connections in this illustration to form a bridge rectifier circuit, receiving power from the
transformer and delivering power to the light bulb:
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Question 36
Determine the approximate amount of voltage that each voltmeter in this circuit will indicate:
Plug
"Hot" VΩ
A COM
115 VAC
"Neutral"
VΩ
A COM
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Question 37
A technician decides to measure the output voltage of a bridge rectifier circuit using an oscilloscope.
This particular bridge rectifier is the front-end of a switching power supply circuit, and directly rectifies the
incoming 120 volt AC power, with no transformer:
OSCILLOSCOPE
vertical
Y
DC GND AC
V/div
trigger
Fuse
timebase
X
DC GND AC
s/div
Trace on underside
of circuit board
. . . to the rest of the

switching power supply circuit
However, the technician is surprised to find that the fuse blows every time she turns the power on to
the circuit. When the oscilloscope is disconnected from the circuit, the fuse does not blow, and everything
works fine. What is wrong? Why does the oscilloscope cause a fault in the circuit?
Here is another interesting piece of information: if just the probe tip is touched to one of the rectifier
circuit’s output terminals, the oscilloscope shows a half-wave rectified waveform, without the ground clip
being connected to anything!
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Question 38
Power rectifier circuits are often classified according to their number of phases, ways, and pulses. Match
the following rectifier circuits to the Phase/Way/Pulse labels given in this illustration:
3Ph2W6P
1Ph1W2P
1Ph1W1P
1Ph2W2P
3Ph1W3P
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Question 39
Bipolar transistors are extremely useful devices, allowing a small electric current to control the flow of
a much larger electric current:
controlling current
NPN bipolar transistor
controlled current
(Direction of current shown

using "conventional" flow)
These devices would be even more useful to us if they were able to control alternating current (AC),
but they cannot. Bipolar transistors are polarized (one-way-only) devices.
This fact does not prevent us from using bipolar transistors to control AC. We just have to be clever
about how we do it:
AC load
Explain how this circuit functions. How is the transistor (a DC-only device) able to control alternating
current (AC) through the load?
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Question 40
Suppose you need to build a full-wave bridge rectifier with a current rating of 2.5 amps, but only have
model 1N4001 diodes to build it with. Draw a schematic diagram of the circuit, showing how multiple
1N4001 diodes could be connected together to accomplish this:
Rectifier circuit
To AC Load
power source
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Question 41
AC-DC power supply circuits are one of the most common circuit configurations in electronic systems.
Though designs may vary, the task of converting AC power to DC power is vital in the functioning of a great
many electronic devices.
Why is this? What is it about this kind of circuit that makes it such a necessary part of many electronic
systems?
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Question 42
Although not a popular design, some power supply circuits are transformerless. Direct rectification of
AC line power is a viable option in some applications:
Plug
Load
However, this form of AC-to-DC power conversion has some significant limits. Explain why most power
supply circuits utilize a transformer instead of directly rectifying the line power as this circuit does.
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Question 43
An essential part of an AC-DC power supply circuit is the filter, used to separate the residual AC
(called the ”ripple” voltage) from the DC voltage prior to output. Here are two simple AC-DC power supply
circuits, one without a filter and one with:
Plug
Vunfiltered
Plug
Filter Vfiltered
Draw the respective output voltage waveforms of these two power supply circuits (V unf iltered versus
Vf iltered ). Also identify the type of filter circuit needed for the task (low pass, high pass, band pass, or band
stop), and explain why that type of filter circuit is needed.
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Question 44
Suppose a technician measures the voltage output by an AC-DC power supply circuit:
Volts/Div A Sec/Div
250 µ
0.5 0.2 0.1 1m 50 µ
1 50 m 5m 10 µ
2 20 m Position 25 m 2.5 µ
5 10 m 100 m 0.5 µ
10 5m 500 m 0.1 µ
20 2m 1 0.025 µ
2.5 off
DC Gnd AC
X-Y
Position
A B Alt Chop Add
Triggering Level
A
B
Volts/Div B Alt Holdoff
0.5 0.2 0.1
50 m Line
1
Position
2 20 m Ext.
5 10 m
Ext. input
10 5m
Invert Intensity Focus Beam find Norm AC
20 2m Auto DC
DC Gnd AC Off Single LF Rej
Cal 1 V Gnd Trace rot. Reset Slope
HF Rej
Rectifier assembly
Filter capacitor
Transformer
-
-
Bleed
resistor
The waveform shown by the oscilloscope is mostly DC, with just a little bit of AC ”ripple” voltage
appearing as a ripple pattern on what would otherwise be a straight, horizontal line. This is quite normal
for the output of an AC-DC power supply.
Suppose we wished to take a closer view of this ”ripple” voltage. We want to make the ripples more
pronounced on the screen, so that we may better discern their shape. Unfortunately, though, when we
decrease the number of volts per division on the ”vertical” control knob to magnify the vertical amplification
of the oscilloscope, the pattern completely disappears from the screen!
Explain what the problem is, and how we might correct it so as to be able to magnify the ripple voltage
waveform without having it disappear off the oscilloscope screen.
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Question 45
Observe the following two waveforms, as represented on an oscilloscope display measuring output voltage
of a filtered power supply:
Vfiltered
Vfiltered
If both of these waveforms were measured on the same power supply circuit, at different times, determine
which waveform was measured during a period of heavier ”loading” (a ”heavier” load being defined as a load
drawing greater current).
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Question 46
What does it mean if a power supply has a DC output with 5% ripple?
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Question 47
What parameters determine the frequency of a power supply’s ripple voltage?
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Question 48
Suppose a power supply is energized by an AC source of 119 V RMS. The transformer step-down ratio
is 8:1, it uses a full-wave bridge rectifier circuit with silicon diodes, and the filter is nothing but a single
electrolytic capacitor. Calculate the unloaded DC output voltage for this supply (assume 0.7 volts drop
across each diode). Also, write an equation solving for DC output voltage (V out ), given all these parameters.
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Question 49
What does it mean if a power supply exhibits 2% voltage regulation?
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Question 50
What will be the consequence of one diode failing open in the bridge rectifier of a single-phase power
supply?
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Question 51
Suppose you suspected a failed-open diode in this power supply circuit. Describe how you could detect
its presence without using an oscilloscope:
Rectifier assembly
Filter capacitor
-
-
Low-voltage
AC power supply
12
6 6
Incidentally, the ”low voltage AC power supply” is nothing more than a step-down transformer with a
center-tapped secondary winding.
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Question 52
A student learns that a rectifier circuit is often followed by a low-pass filter circuit in an AC-DC power
supply to reduce ”ripple” voltage on the output. Looking over his notes from AC theory, the student proceeds
to build this power supply circuit complete with a low-pass filter at the output:
Plug
+V
Gnd
While this design will work, there are better filter configurations for this application. Describe the
limitations of the circuit shown, and explain how some of the other filters would do a better job.
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Question 53
Identify the voltages that are supposed to appear between the listed test points:
Fuse 120 VAC

TP2 power input
TP3
TP4
TP1
TP5
TP8 TP7
TP6
-
-
TP10 DC voltage output
TP9
1. VT P 1−T P 2 =
2. VT P 1−T P 3 =
3. VT P 2−T P 3 =
4. VT P 4−T P 5 =
5. VT P 5−T P 6 =
6. VT P 7−T P 8 =
7. VT P 9−T P 10 =
Assume that the power transformer has a step-down ratio of 9.5:1.
file 02008
29
Question 54
A technician is troubleshooting a power supply circuit with no DC output voltage. The output voltage
is supposed to be 15 volts DC:
Fuse
TP2
TP3
TP4
TP1
TP5
TP8 TP7
- TP6
-
TP9
The technician begins making voltage measurements between some of the test points (TP) on the circuit
board. What follows is a sequential record of his measurements:
1. VT P 9−T P 10 = 0 volts DC
5. VT P 4−T P 5 = 0 volts AC
Based on these measurements, what do you suspect has failed in this supply circuit? Explain your
answer. Also, critique this technician’s troubleshooting technique and make your own suggestions for a more
efficient pattern of steps.
file 00795
30
Question 55
Fuse
TP2
TP3
TP4
TP1
TP5
TP8 TP7
- TP6
-
TP9
board. What follows is a sequential record of her measurements:
4. VT P 4−T P 5 = 0.5 volts AC
5. VT P 7−T P 8 = 1.1 volts DC
6. VT P 9−T P 10 = 1.1 volts DC
file 00796
31
Question 56
Fuse
TP2
TP3
TP4
TP1
TP5
TP8 TP7
- TP6
-
TP9
board. What follows is a sequential record of his measurements:
5. VT P 7−T P 8 = 0.1 volts DC
file 00797
32
Question 57
AC-DC power supplies are a cause of harmonic currents in AC power systems, especially large AC-DC
power supplies used in motor control circuits and other high-power controls. In this example, I show the
waveforms for output voltage and input current for an unloaded AC-DC power supply with a step-down
transformer, full-wave rectifier, and capacitive filter circuit (the unfiltered DC voltage waveform is shown as
a dashed line for reference):
Output voltage
Input current
As you can see, the input current waveform lags the voltage waveform by 90 o , because when the power
supply is unloaded, the only input current is the magnetizing current of the transformer’s primary winding.
With increased loading, the output ripple voltage becomes more pronounced. This also changes the input
current waveform significantly, making it non-sinusoidal. Trace the shape of the input current waveform,
given the output voltage waveform and magnetizing current waveform (dotted line) shown here:
Output voltage
Input current
The non-filtered DC output waveform is still shown as a dotted line, for reference purposes.
file 00793
33
Question 58
Power supplies are sometimes equipped with EMI/RFI filters on their inputs, to prevent high-frequency
”noise” voltage created within the power supply circuit from getting back to the power source where it might
interfere with other powered equipment. This is especially useful for ”switching” power supply circuits, where
transistors are used to switch power on and off very rapidly in the voltage transformation and regulation
process:
EMI/RFI filter
...
Plug
To rest of power
supply circuitry
...
Determine what type of filter circuit this is (LP, HP, BP, or BS), and also determine the inductive and
capacitive reactances of its components at 60 Hz, if the inductors are 100 µH each and the capacitors are
0.022 µF each.
file 03699
Question 59
A technician builds a simple half-wave rectifier circuit for a project, but is surprised to find that the
diode keeps failing:
4:1 ratio
120 VAC RMS Vout

line power
This comes as a surprise because the diode has a repetitive peak reverse voltage rating of 50 volts, which
the technician knows is greater than the peak voltage output by the step-down transformer. However, the
technician has overlooked something very important in this circuit design. Explain what the problem is, and
how to solve it.
file 02007
34
Question 60
Complete this schematic diagram, turning it into a split (or dual power supply, with three output
terminals: +V, Ground, and -V:
Plug
file 02031
Question 61
Explain what a Schottky diode is, and how it differs in construction and in function from a normal
semiconductor PN junction diode.
file 02068
Question 62
Draw the schematic symbol for a Schottky diode, and give some examples of typical applications for it.
file 02069
Question 63
The characteristically colored glow from a gas-discharge electric light is the result of energy emitted
by electrons in the gas atoms as they fall from high-level ”excited” states back to their natural (”ground”)
states. As a general rule of electron behavior, they must absorb energy from an external source to leap into
a higher level, and they release that energy upon returning to their original level.
Given the existence of this phenomenon, what do you suspect might be occurring inside a PN junction
as it conducts an electric current?
file 00911
Question 64
What determines the color of an LED?
file 01028
Question 65
What is the typical forward voltage drop for a light-emitting diode? What is the typical forward current
for an LED?
file 01027
35
Question 66
Light-emitting diodes, or LEDs, are rugged and highly efficient sources of light. They are far more
rugged and efficient than incandescent lamps, and they also have the ability to switch on and off much faster
because there is no filament inside needing to heat or cool:
Close-up view of a
light-emitting diode
LEDs are low voltage devices, typically rated in the range of 1.5 to 2 volts DC maximum. Single diodes
generally draw low currents as well, about 20 milliamps each. The problem is, how do you operate an LED
from a typical electronic power source, which may output 24 volts DC or more?
Power
supply
+ -
LED
The LED will become damaged

if overpowered!
The answer is to use a series dropping resistor:
Power
supply
Dropping resistor
+ -
LED
Calculate the necessary resistance value and minimum power rating of a series dropping resistor for an
LED rated at 1.7 volts and 20 mA, and a power supply voltage of 24 volts.
file 01776
36
Question 67
There is a special type of diode called a varactor, which is used to create a voltage-dependent capacitance.
This function is often used in electronic radio tuner circuits:
Varactor diode symbol
The voltage-dependent capacitance of this diode is given by the following equation:

Co
Cj = √
2V + 1
Where,
CJ = Junction capacitance
Co = Junction capacitance with no applied voltage
V = Applied reverse junction voltage
Based on this equation, would you say that capacitance is directly or inversely related to the applied
reverse-bias voltage of a varactor diode? Based on what you know of diode theory, explain why this makes
sense.
file 01386
Question 68
Shown here is the characteristic curve of a diode:
ID
VD
Identify which area of this curve represents normal forward-biased operation, and which represents
reverse-biased operation. Also, explain the significance of the near-vertical portion of the curve in the
lower-left quadrant of the graph.
file 02019
Question 69
How does the behavior of a zener diode differ substantially from that of a normal (rectifying) diode?
file 01052
37
Question 70
Suppose you had the boring job of manually maintaining the output voltage of a DC generator constant.
Your one and only control over voltage is the setting of a rheostat:
Gen
(You)
Rheostat
Load
What would you have to do to maintain the load voltage constant if the load resistance changed so as to
draw more current? Being that your only control over load voltage is the adjustment of a variable resistance
in series with the generator, what does this imply about the generator’s output voltage (directly across the
generator terminals), compared to the target load voltage?
file 00888
Question 71
Suppose you had the boring job of manually maintaining the output voltage of a DC generator constant.
Your one and only control over voltage is the setting of a rheostat:
Gen
Rheostat
(You)
Load
What would you have to do to maintain the load voltage constant if the load resistance changed so as to
draw more current? Being that your only control over load voltage is the adjustment of a variable resistance
in parallel with the load, what does this imply about the generator’s output voltage (directly across the
generator terminals), compared to the target load voltage?
file 00889
38
Question 72
Describe how a zener diode is able to maintain regulated (nearly constant) voltage across the load,
despite changes in load current:
Gen
Load
file 00890
Question 73
Calculate the current through the zener diode for the given values of load resistance in this circuit:
Rseries
500 Ω
Vsource = 15 V Rload
VZ = 5.1 V
• Rload = 1 kΩ ; Izener =
• Rload = 910 Ω ; Izener =
Do you see any relationship between load current and zener diode current? If so, explain what that
relationship is.
file 02017
39
Question 74
Calculate the current through the zener diode for the given values of input (source) voltage in this
circuit:
Rseries
470 Ω
Vsource
VZ = 5.1 V Rload = 6 kΩ
• Vsource = 25 V ; Izener =
Do you see any relationship between source voltage and zener diode current? If so, explain what that
relationship is.
file 03841
Question 75
Zener diodes are simple and useful devices for building voltage regulator circuits, but are times when
you may have to improvise in the absence of the proper zener diode. Explain how normal diodes might be
used as crude substitutes for a zener diode in the following circuit:
Rseries
Vsource Rload
file 02018
40
Question 76
At what load resistance value will this voltage regulator circuit begin to lose its ability to regulate
voltage? Also, determine whether the voltage regulation is lost for load resistance values greater than this
threshold value, or less than this threshold value.
5 kΩ
VZ =
24 VDC Rload
18 VDC
file 01066
Question 77
Not all ”zener” diodes break down in the exact same manner. Some operate on the principle of zener
breakdown, while others operate on the principle of avalanche breakdown. How do the temperature coefficients
of these two zener diode types compare, and how are you able to discern whether a zener diode uses one
principle or the other just from its breakdown voltage rating?
Correspondingly, is there a way we could determine the type of breakdown action from experimental
measurements on a zener diode? Explain how such an experiment might be set up.
file 01053
Question 78
Precision voltage reference regulators are often constructed of two zener diodes connected in series like
this:
Explain why two zener diodes provide greater stability than a single zener diode would, and also draw
a circuit showing a voltage source, so this component functions as a complete voltage reference.
file 01062
Question 79
What type of diode is always packaged in a clear glass or plastic body (as opposed to an opaque plastic
body)? Explain how the appearance of the component is helpful in determining its identity.
file 03444
Question 80
R
f (x) dx Calculus alert!
How is the parameter of zener impedance defined for a zener diode? Should an ideal zener diode have a
zener impedance figure equal to zero, or infinite? Why?
file 01065
41
Question 81
Show which directions these free-floating ions would move, if exposed to an electric field of the polarity
shown:
Metal plate Metal plate
OH-
H+
Note: the ”H+ ” ion is a positively charged hydrogen atom, while the ”OH− ” ion is a negatively charged
hydroxyl ion.
file 04083
Question 82
In this electrical circuit, trace the direction of current through the wires:
-
+
Electric motor
Battery
file 00176
Question 83
Label the directions of both electron flow and conventional flow in this simple circuit:
Battery
Lamp
file 04078
42
Question 84
In metallic conductors, the dominant carriers of electric charge are free electrons, which of course
are negatively charged. Are there any examples of electric conduction where electric charge is carried by
positively-charged particles?
file 04076
Question 85
Explain, in your own words, how we came to have two completely opposite notations for labeling the
direction of electric current. What historical events led to this confusion, and why does it still exist today?
file 04077
Question 86
When you see an electronic device symbol such as any one of these, which direction do the symbols’
intrinsic arrows represent, electron or conventional flow?
file 04080
Question 87
Two people are debating electron flow versus conventional flow. One of them says that the you will get
different results predicting polarity of voltage drops in a resistive circuit depending on which convention you
use. The other person says the convention for labeling current does not matter at all, and that the correct
polarities will be predicted either way.
Which of these two people is correct? Explain why, and give an example to prove your point.
file 04082
43
Question 88
Suppose a person is more familiar with conventional flow notation than electron flow notation. If this
person find themselves in a situation where they must draw the direction of current according to electron
flow notation, what advice would you give them for making the transition.
file 04079
Question 89
A Cathode Ray Tube, or CRT, is the heart of an analog oscilloscope. It functions by aiming a focused
beam of electrons at a phosphorescent screen, causing light at the point of impact:
Deflection plates
electron beam
Light
Control grids Electron "gun"
What style of current notation (electron or conventional) would best suit a description for the operation
of a CRT?
file 04081
44
Question 90
In the following graphic, you will see the directions of currents labeled with arrows for each semiconductor
component. Some of these arrows are pointing in the direction of conventional flow, while others are pointing
in the direction of electron flow. Determine which convention is being used to label currents for each
component (note: I have only used one convention for each component – I have not mixed conventional and
electron flow while labeling multiple currents on the same component!).
file 04084
45
Question 91
Competency: Rectifying diode behavior Version:

Schematic
Forward-biased Reverse-biased
R1 R1
Vsupply Vsupply
D1 D1
Given conditions
Vsupply = (see multiple values given below)

R1 =
Parameters Forward-biased
Given Predicted Measured
Vsupply = VR1
VD1

Vsupply = VR1
VD1
Parameters Reverse-biased
Vsupply = VR1
VD1

Vsupply = VR1
VD1
file 01940
46
Question 92
Competency: Full-wave center-tap rectifier Version:

Schematic
120 V /
Fuse 12.6 V C.T. D1
Rload
D2
Given conditions
Vsecondary = (VAC RMS) Rload =
Parameters
Predicted Measured
Vload(DC) (Approximate only)
Vripple
fripple
Fault analysis
open other
Suppose component fails
shorted
What will happen in the circuit?
file 01942
47
Question 93
Competency: Full-wave bridge rectifier Version:

Schematic
120 V /
Fuse 12.6 V C.T.
D1 D2
D3 D4 Rload
Given conditions
Vsecondary = (VAC RMS) Rload =
Parameters
Predicted Measured
Vload(DC) (Approximate only)
Vripple
fripple
Fault analysis
open other
shorted
file 01943
48
Question 94
Competency: Zener diode voltage regulator Version:

Schematic
Rseries
Vsupply Rload
Given conditions
Rseries =
Vsupply = Vzener =
Rload =
Parameters
Predicted Measured
Vload (nominal)
Vsupply (max)
Vsupply (min)
Fault analysis
open other
shorted
The Vsupply (min) parameter is the minimum voltage setting that Vsupply may be adjusted to with the
regulator circuit maintaining constant load voltage at Rload . Vsupply (max) is the maximum voltage that
Vsupply may be adjusted to without exceeding the zener diode’s power rating. Vload (nominal) is simply the
regulated voltage output of the circuit under normal conditions.
file 01623
49
Question 95
Competency: LED current limiting Version:

Schematic
Rlimit
Vsupply
D1
Given conditions
Vsupply = Vforward (LED) = Iforward(LED) =
Parameters
Vsupply = VRlimit
VD1
ID1
Analysis
Show how you calculated the appropriate value for Rlimit
Draw the directions of both electron and conventional current
Fault analysis
open other
shorted
file 04075
50
Question 96
NAME: Project Grading Criteria PROJECT:
You will receive the highest score for which all criteria are met.
100 % (Must meet or exceed all criteria listed)

A. Impeccable craftsmanship, comparable to that of a professional assembly
B. No spelling or grammatical errors anywhere in any document, upon first submission to instructor
95 % (Must meet or exceed these criteria in addition to all criteria for 90% and below)
A. Technical explanation sufficiently detailed to teach from, inclusive of every component (supersedes 75.B)
B. Itemized parts list complete with part numbers, manufacturers, and (equivalent) prices for all
components, including recycled components and parts kit components (supersedes 90.A)
A. Itemized parts list complete with prices of components purchased for the project, plus total price
B. No spelling or grammatical errors anywhere in any document upon final submission
A. “User’s guide” to project function (in addition to 75.B)
B. Troubleshooting log describing all obstacles overcome during development and construction
A. All controls (switches, knobs, etc.) clearly and neatly labeled
B. All documentation created on computer, not hand-written (including the schematic diagram)
A. Stranded wire used wherever wires are subject to vibration or bending
B. Basic technical explanation of all major circuit sections
C. Deadline met for working prototype of circuit (Date/Time = / )
70 % (Must meet or exceed these criteria in addition to all criteria for 65%)
A. All wire connections sound (solder joints, wire-wrap, terminal strips, and lugs are all connected properly)
B. No use of glue where a fastener would be more appropriate
C. Deadline met for submission of fully-functional project (Date/Time = / ) –
supersedes 75.C if final project submitted by that (earlier) deadline
65 % (Must meet or exceed these criteria in addition to all criteria for 60%)
A. Project fully functional
B. All components securely fastened so nothing is “loose” inside the enclosure
C. Schematic diagram of circuit
60 % (Must meet or exceed these criteria in addition to being safe and legal)
A. Project minimally functional, with all components located inside an enclosure (if applicable)
B. Passes final safety inspection (proper case grounding, line power fusing, power cords strain-relieved)
0% (If any of the following conditions are true)

A. Fails final safety inspection (improper grounding, fusing, and/or power cord strain relieving)
B. Intended project function poses a safety hazard
C. Project function violates any law, ordinance, or school policy
file 03173
51
Question 97
Predict how all test point voltages (measured between each test point and ground) in this circuit will be
affected as a result of the following faults. Consider each fault independently (i.e. one at a time, no multiple
faults):
R1
TP1 TP2
R2
V1 TP3
R3
• Resistor R1 fails open:

• Solder bridge (short) past resistor R2 :
For each of these conditions, explain why the resulting effects will occur.
file 03709
Question 98
Predict how all component voltages and currents in this circuit will be affected as a result of the following
faults. Consider each fault independently (i.e. one at a time, no multiple faults):
R1
V1 D1
• Diode D1 fails open:

• Diode D1 fails shorted:
• Solder bridge (short) past resistor R1 :
file 03700
52
Question 99
D1
R1
V1
R2

• Diode D1 fails shorted:
file 03701
Question 100
Fuse T1
V1 Load
• Transformer T1 primary winding fails open:

• Transformer T1 primary winding fails shorted:
• Transformer T1 secondary winding fails open:
• Load fails shorted:
file 03707
53
Question 101
D1
T1
To 117 VAC
power source
D2
Load

• Load resistor fails open:
• Transformer T1 primary winding fails open:
file 03702
Question 102
Fuse Switch
T1
Plug D1 D2
L1
+V
D3 D4 C1
Gnd
• Any one diode fails open:

• Transformer secondary winding fails open:
• Inductor L1 fails open:
• Capacitor C1 fails shorted:
file 03703
54
Question 103
Suppose this power supply circuit was working fine for several years, then one day failed to output any
DC voltage at all:
Fuse
T1
D1 D2
115 VAC
RMS
D3 D4 C1
When you open the case of this power supply, you immediately notice the strong odor of burnt
components. From this information, determine some likely component faults and explain your reasoning.
file 03708
Question 104
3-φ generator
A D1
B
D2
C D3 Load

• Generator winding C fails open:
• Center connection joining generator windings fails open:
file 03706
55
Question 105
3-φ generator
B D1 D2
C D3 D4
D5 D6
Load

• Generator winding C fails open:
• Center connection joining generator windings fails open:
file 03705
Question 106
Rseries
V1 D1 Rload
• Zener diode fails shorted:

• Zener diode fails open:
• Series resistor fails open:
• Series resistor fails shorted:
file 03704
56
Question 107
How is it possible to assign a fixed value of voltage or current (such as ”120 volts”) to an AC electrical
quantity that is constantly changing, crossing 0 volts, and reversing polarity?
file 00051
Question 108
Suppose a DC power source with a voltage of 50 volts is connected to a 10 Ω load. How much power
will this load dissipate?
Now suppose the same 10 Ω load is connected to a sinusoidal AC power source with a peak voltage of 50
volts. Will the load dissipate the same amount of power, more power, or less power? Explain your answer.
file 00401
Question 109
Suppose that a variable-voltage AC source is adjusted until it dissipates the exact same amount of power
in a standard load resistance as a DC voltage source with an output of 120 volts:
Standard load
resistances (equal number of ohms)
120 V
In this condition of equal power dissipation, how much voltage is the AC power supply outputting? Be
as specific as you can in your answer.
file 00402
Question 110
Determine the RMS amplitude of this sinusoidal waveform, as displayed by an oscilloscope with a vertical
sensitivity of 0.2 volts per division:
file 01818
57
Question 111
Assuming the vertical sensitivity control is set to 0.5 volts per division, and the timebase control is set
to 2.5 ms per division, calculate the amplitude of this sine wave (in volts peak, volts peak-to-peak, and volts
RMS) as well as its frequency.
OSCILLOSCOPE
vertical
Y
DC GND AC
V/div
trigger
timebase
X
DC GND AC
s/div
file 00540
Question 112
Suppose 1200 turns of copper wire are wrapped around one portion of an iron hoop, and 3000 turns of
wire are wrapped around another portion of that same hoop. If the 1200-turn coil is energized with 15 volts
AC (RMS), how much voltage will appear between the ends of the 3000-turn coil?
file 00246
Question 113
Calculate the voltage output by the secondary winding of a transformer if the primary voltage is 35
volts, the secondary winding has 4500 turns, and the primary winding has 355 turns.
Vsecondary =
file 02206
Question 114
Calculate the voltage output by the secondary winding of a transformer if the primary voltage is 230
volts, the secondary winding has 290 turns, and the primary winding has 1120 turns.
Vsecondary =
file 02207
58
Question 115
Calculate the load current and load voltage in this transformer circuit:
2390 turns 710 turns

Load
28 VAC 350 Ω
Iload = Vload =
file 02210
Question 116
Calculate the source current and load current in this transformer circuit:
1400 turns 3610 turns

Load
110 VAC 3.9 kΩ
Isource = Iload =
file 02212
Question 117
Describe the difference between an intrinsic and an extrinsic semiconducting substance.
file 02295
Question 118
What effect does doping concentration have on the electrical conductivity of an extrinsic semiconductor?
file 00908
Question 119
What must be done to an intrinsic semiconductor to turn it into an ”N-type” semiconductor?
file 02297
Question 120
What must be done to an intrinsic semiconductor to turn it into a ”P-type” semiconductor?
file 02298
Question 121
What effect does temperature have on the electrical conductivity of a semiconducting material? How
does this compare with the effect of temperature on the electrical conductivity of a typical metal?
file 00905
59
Question 122
Draw the approximate locations of the Fermi levels in these three energy level diagrams:
Intrinsic (pure) semiconductor
Conduction band
Valence band
Conduction band
"Acceptor" holes
Valence band
60
Conduction band
"Donor" electrons
Valence band
file 02004
61
Question 123
A fascinating experiment carried out by J. R. Hayes and W. Shockley in the early 1950’s involved a bar
of N-doped germanium with two metal point contacts labeled ”E” and ”C,” for ”Emitter” and ”Collector,”
respectively:
VE
E C
VC
Germanium bar
Volts/Div A Sec/Div
250 µ
0.5 0.2 0.1 1m 50 µ
1 50 m 5m 10 µ
2 20 m Position 25 m 2.5 µ
5 10 m 100 m 0.5 µ
10 5m 500 m 0.1 µ
20 2m 1 0.025 µ
2.5 off
Vdrift DC Gnd AC
X-Y
Position
A B Alt Chop Add
Triggering Level
A
B
Volts/Div B Alt Holdoff
0.5 0.2 0.1
50 m Line
1
Position
2 20 m Ext.
5 10 m
Ext. input
Invert Intensity Focus Norm AC
10 5m Beam find
20 2m Auto DC
DC Gnd AC Off Single LF Rej
Cal 1 V Gnd Trace rot. Reset Slope
HF Rej
Upon actuating the switch, two distinct pulses were noted on the oscilloscope display:
Emitter current (from switch actuation)
IE
Time
Collector current
IC
Time
With less drift voltage (Vdrif t ) applied across the length of the bar, the second pulse was seen to be
further delayed and more diffused:
62
Emitter current (from switch actuation)
IE
Time
Collector current
IC
Time
The instantaneous effect of the first pulse (precisely timed with the closure of the switch) is not the
most interesting facet of this experiment. Rather, the second (delayed) pulse is. Explain what caused this
second pulse, and why its shape depended on Vdrif t .
file 02044
Question 124
When ”P” and ”N” type semiconductor pieces are brought into close contact, free electrons from the
”N” piece will rush over to fill holes in the ”P” piece, creating a zone on both sides of the contact region
devoid of charge carriers. What is this zone called, and what are its electrical characteristics?
file 00715
Question 125
Is this diode forward-biased or reverse biased?
file 02299
63
Question 126
Insert a diode into this circuit schematic in the correct direction to make it forward-biased by the battery
voltage:
file 02300
Question 127
Shockley’s diode equation in standard form is quite lengthy, but it may be considerably simplified for
conditions of room temperature. Note that if the temperature (T ) is assumed to be room temperature (25 o
C), there are three constants in the equation that are the same for all PN junctions: T , k, and q.
qVD
ID = IS (e N kT − 1)
The quantity kT q is known as the thermal voltage of the junction. Calculate the value of this thermal
voltage, given a room temperature of 25o C. Then, substitute this quantity into the original ”diode formula”
so as to simplify its appearance.
file 00713
64
Question 128
A student sets up a circuit that looks like this, to gather data for characterizing a diode:
100 Ω D1
10 kΩ
12 V
Measuring diode voltage and diode current in this circuit, the student generates the following table of
data:
Vdiode Idiode
0.600 V 1.68 mA
0.625 V 2.88 mA
0.650 V 5.00 mA
0.675 V 8.68 mA
0.700 V 14.75 mA
0.725 V 27.25 mA
0.750 V 48.2 mA
This student knows that the behavior of a PN junction follows Shockley’s diode equation, and that the
equation may be simplified to the following form:
Vdiode
Idiode = IS (e K − 1)
Where,
K = a constant incorporating both the thermal voltage and the nonideality coefficient
The goal of this experiment is to calculate K and IS , so that the diode’s current may be predicted for
any arbitrary value of voltage drop. However, the equation must be simplified a bit before the student can
proceed.
Vdiode
At substantial levels of current, the exponential term is very much larger than unity (e K >> 1), so
the equation may be simplified as such:
Vdiode
Idiode ≈ IS (e K )
From this equation, determine how the student would calculate K and IS from the data shown in the
table. Also, explain how this student may verify the accuracy of these calculated values.
file 01923
Question 129
The nonconducting depletion region of a PN junction forms a parasitic capacitance between the P and
the N semiconductor region. Does the capacitance increase or decrease as a greater reverse-bias voltage is
applied to the PN junction? Explain your answer.
file 00899
65
Question 130
An important parameter for many semiconductor components is thermal resistance, usually specified in
units of degrees Celsius per Watt. What does this rating mean, and how is it related to temperature?
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Question 131
Rectifying diodes, like many other types of semiconductor components, should be derated at elevated
ambient temperatures. Datasheets often provide ”derating curves” that prescribe the maximum current for
a range of ambient temperatures.
Explain just what ”derating” is, and why it is so important for semiconductor devices.
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66
Question 132
The following schematic diagram is of a simple curve tracer circuit, used to plot the current/voltage
characteristics of different electronic components on an oscilloscope screen:
Simple curve tracer circuit
BNC connector to
’scope vertical input
Rshunt (device current)
Chassis Indicator
ground
lamp
Voltage To device BNC connector to
adjust under test ’scope horiz. input
(device voltage)
Rlimit
The way it works is by applying an AC voltage across the terminals of the device under test, outputting
two different voltage signals to the oscilloscope. One signal, driving the horizontal axis of the oscilloscope,
represents the voltage across the two terminals of the device. The other signal, driving the vertical axis of
the oscilloscope, is the voltage dropped across the shunt resistor, representing current through the device.
With the oscilloscope set for ”X-Y” mode, the electron beam traces the device’s characteristic curve.
For example, a simple resistor would generate this oscilloscope display:
Positive current
Positive applied
voltage
A resistor of greater value (more ohms of resistance) would generate a characteristic plot with a shallower
slope, representing less current for the same amount of applied voltage:
67
Higher-valued resistor
Curve tracer circuits find their real value in testing semiconductor components, whose voltage/current
behaviors are nonlinear. Take for instance this characteristic curve for an ordinary rectifying diode:
Rectifying diode curve
The trace is flat everywhere left of center where the applied voltage is negative, indicating no diode
current when it is reverse-biased. To the right of center, though, the trace bends sharply upward, indicating
exponential diode current with increasing applied voltage (forward-biased) just as the ”diode equation”
predicts.
On the following grids, plot the characteristic curve for a diode that is failed shorted, and also for one
that is failed open:
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Diode failed shorted Diode failed open
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69
Question 133
When plotted on a curve tracer, the characteristic curve for a normal PN junction rectifying diode looks
something like this:
Rectifying diode curve
Label each axis (horizontal and vertical) of the curve tracer graph, then determine whether the diode
behaves more like a voltage source or more like a current source (i.e. does it try to maintain constant voltage
or does it try to maintain constant current?) when it is conducting current.
Models are very useful because they simplify circuit approximations. For example, we can analyze this
diode circuit quite easily if we substitute an electrical source in place of the diode:
Original circuit D1
V1 Rload
Should we model the diode as . . . ?
A voltage source? A current source?

Vmodel . . . or as . . . Imodel
V1 Rload V1 Rload
The only question here is, which substitution makes the most sense? Based on the diode’s characteristic
curve behavior, should we substitute a voltage source or a current source in place of it? Assuming this is a
1N4001 rectifying diode, what is the value we should use for the substituting source?
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70
Question 134
What diode performance parameter establishes the limit for maximum frequency of AC which it may
rectify? If you were to examine a diode datasheet, what parameter (or parameters) would be the most
important in answering this question?
file 00951
Question 135
Explain the operating principle of a photovoltaic cell, otherwise known as a ”solar cell.” What happens
within these devices to convert sunlight directly into electricity?
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Question 136
Explain how the characteristic curve of a 24 volt zener diode (as plotted by a curve tracer) differs from
that of a normal rectifying diode, shown here:
Rectifier diode curve
-80 -60 -40 -20 0 20 40 60 80

Volts
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Question 137
Suppose you needed to build a simple voltage regulator circuit with a regulation point of 4.5 volts, but
had no zener diodes to work with. Can you think of a way normal diodes could be used for the purpose
instead?
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71
Question 138
Prior to the advent of zener diodes, gas-discharge tubes and bulbs were commonly used as voltage
regulating devices.
Vout
Explain how such a device regulates voltage, and comment on whether or not this type of device is still
practical in modern circuit design.
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Question 139
Calculate the power dissipated by the 5-volt zener diode for the following values of motor current (assume
the battery voltage remains constant at 12 volts):
-
+
Zener
diode
50 Ω
12 volts
Motor
• Imotor = 20 mA ; Pzener =
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72
Question 140
Is it possible to reduce this zener diode voltage regulator circuit to a Thévenin equivalent circuit?
Explain why or why not.
Reduce to a Thevenin equivalent?
Rseries
500 Ω
15 V
VZ = 5.1 V Rload
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Question 141
It is possible to purchase oven-stabilized zener ICs (integrated circuits). Explain what these are, and
what they are useful for.
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73
Question 142
When the pushbutton switch is actuated in this circuit, the solenoid valve energizes:
-
+
Switch Solenoid valve
Pipe Pipe
The only problem with this simple circuit is that the switch contacts suffer from extensive arcing caused
each time the solenoid is de-energized. One way to combat this arcing, though, is to connect an ordinary
rectifying diode in parallel with the solenoid like this:
-
+
Switch Solenoid valve
Pipe Pipe
Explain what causes the excessive arcing at the switch contacts, and how the presence of a diode in the
circuit completely eliminates it.
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74
Question 143
What will an ammeter (with an input resistance of 0.5 Ω) register when connected in parallel with the
diode in this circuit?
12 V
+
2 kΩ A
-
1 kΩ
Usually, ammeters are connected in series with the component whose current is to be measured.
However, in this case a parallel connection is acceptable. Explain why, and determine the ammeter’s current
reading in this circuit.
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Question 144
Suppose a very important piece of electronic equipment (nuclear reactor shutdown controls, for instance)
needed to be supplied with uninterruptible DC power. For reliability’s sake, this circuit gets its power from
three (redundant) DC voltage sources:
Reactor
shutdown
controls
The only problem with this scenario is the possibility of one of these power sources internally short-
circuiting. Describe what would happen if one of the three DC power sources developed an internal short-
circuit, and explain how this problem could be avoided by placing diodes in the circuit.
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75
Question 145
R
f (x) dx Calculus alert!
A forward-biased PN semiconductor junction does not possess a ”resistance” in the same manner as a
resistor or a length of wire. Any attempt at applying Ohm’s Law to a diode, then, is doomed from the start.
This is not to say that we cannot assign a dynamic value of resistance to a PN junction, though. The
fundamental definition of resistance comes from Ohm’s Law, and it is expressed in derivative form as such:
dV
R=
dI
The fundamental equation relating current and voltage together for a PN junction is Shockley’s diode
equation:
qV
I = IS (e N kT − 1)
At room temperature (approximately 21 degrees C, or 294 degrees K), the thermal voltage of a PN
junction is about 25 millivolts. Substituting 1 for the nonideality coefficient, we may simply the diode
equation as such:
V
I = IS (e 0.025 − 1) or I = IS (e40V − 1)
dI
Differentiate this equation with respect to V , so as to determine dV , and then reciprocate to find a
dV
mathematical definition for dynamic resistance ( dI ) of a PN junction. Hints: saturation current (IS ) is a
very small constant for most diodes, and the final equation should express dynamic resistance in terms of
thermal voltage (25 mV) and diode current (I).
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Answers
Answer 1
”Charge carriers” are any particles possessing an electrical charge, whose coordinated motion through
a substance constitutes an electric current. Different types of substances have different charge carriers:
• Metals: ”free” (conduction-band) electrons
• Semiconductors: electrons and holes
• Liquids: ions
Answer 2
The fact that atomic electrons inhabit ”quantized” energy states is evidenced by the characteristic
wavelengths of light emitted by certain atoms when they are ”excited” by external energy sources.
Rutherford’s planetary model could not account for this behavior, thus the necessity for a new model of
the atom.
Semiconductor electronics is made possible by the ”quantum revolution” in physics. Electrical current
travel through semiconductors is impossible to adequately explain apart from quantum theory.
Challenge question: think of an experiment that could be performed in the classroom to demonstrate
the characteristic wavelengths emitted by ”excited” atoms.
Answer 3
Pauli’s Exclusion Principle states that ”No two electrons in close proximity may inhabit the exact
same quantum state.” Therefore, when lots of atoms are packed together in close proximity, their individual
electron states shift energy levels slightly to become continuous bands of energy levels.
Answer 4
• Metals are the best conductors of electricity, because many of their electrons occupy the ”conduction
band” at normal temperatures.
• Insulators are the worst conductors of electricity, because a tremendous amount of energy must be
invested before an electron can ”leap” across the large gap into the conduction band.
Answer 5
Semiconducting substances are defined by the size of the gap between the valence and conduction bands.
In elemental substances, this definition is generally met in crystalline materials having four valence electrons.
However, other materials also meet the band gap criterion and thus are also semiconductors. A few are listed
here:
• Gallium arsenide (GaAs)
• Gallium nitride
• Silicon carbide
• Some plastics (!)
While Gallium Arsenide is broadly used at the time of this writing (2004), the others are mostly in
developmental stages. However, some of them show great promise, especially gallium nitride and silicon
carbide in applications of high power, high temperature, and/or high frequency.
77
Answer 6
Conduction band
Valence band
The presence of an electric field across the length of the material will cause the bands to slope, electrons
moving toward the positive side and holes toward the negative.
Answer 7
Under the influence of thermal energy from ambient sources, pentavalent ”donor” atoms contribute to
free electrons in the conduction band:
Conduction band
Donor atoms give up electrons

to populate conduction band
Valence band
Likewise, trivalent ”acceptor” atoms contribute to holes in the valence band:
Conduction band
Acceptor atoms receive electrons

to populate valence band with holes
Valence band
In either case, the addition of impurities to an otherwise pure semiconductor material increases the
number of available charge carriers.
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Answer 8
To create donor electrons, you must add a substance with a greater number of valence electrons than
the base semiconductor material. When this is done, it is called an N-type semiconductor.
To create acceptor holes, you must add a substance with a lesser number of valence electrons than the
base semiconductor material. When this is done, it is called a P-type semiconductor.
Follow-up question: identify some common ”donor” (N-type) and ”acceptor” (P-type) dopants.
Answer 9
”Majority carriers” are those charge carriers existing by the purposeful addition of doping elements to
the material. ”Minority carriers” are the opposite type of charge carrier, inhabiting a semiconductor only
because it is impossible to completely eliminate the impurities generating them.
Answer 10
The ”Fermi level” is the highest energy level that electrons will attain in a substance at a temperature
of absolute zero.
Answer 11
P N
Conduction band
Ef
Valence band
Electrons from the N-piece rushed over to fill holes in the P-piece in order to achieve a lower energy
state and equalize the two Fermi levels. This displacement of charge carriers created an electric field which
accounts for the sloped energy bands in the middle region.
Follow-up question: what is this middle region called?
Answer 12
The answer to this question depends entirely on the polarity of the applied voltage! One polarity tends
to expand the depletion region, while the opposite polarity tends to compress it. I’ll let you determine which
polarity performs which action, based on your research.
79
Answer 13
PN junction under influence of a "reverse" voltage
P N
Conduction band
Ef
Valence band
and V for electric potential (voltage).
80
Answer 14
PN junction under influence of a "forward" voltage
P N
Conduction band
Ef
Valence band
and V for potential (voltage).
81
Answer 15
For the sake of clearly seeing the actions of charge carriers (mobile electrons and holes), non-moving
electrons in the valence bands are not shown:
PN junction conducting current
P N
Conduction band
electrons
Ef
positively ionized donors
negatively ionized acceptors recombination
holes Valence band
The ”+” and ”-” signs show the locations of ionized acceptor and donor atoms, having taken on electric
charges to create valence-band holes and conduction-band electrons, respectively.
and V for potential (voltage).
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Answer 16
-
+
Test clip
Diode
Test clip
V A
V A
OFF
A COM
Answer 17
Minority carriers allow reverse current through a PN junction.
Answer 18
Simplified proportionality:
I D ∝ e VD
The graph described by the ”diode formula” is a standard exponential curve, rising sharply as the
independent variable (VD , in this case) increases. The corresponding graph for a resistor, of course, is linear.
Answer 19
Silicon = 0.7 volts ; Germanium = 0.3 volts.
Temperature, current, and doping concentration all affect the forward voltage drop of a PN junction.
Answer 20
Did you really think I was going to give away the answer here, and spoil the fun of setting up an
experiment?
Answer 21
I’ll give you a hint: there is a stripe (similar to a color band on a resistor) closer to one end of the diode
than the other!
Answer 22
Only the reverse (or blocking) voltage rating differs between these diode models.
83
Answer 23
• Good diode: one LED lit

• Diode failed shorted: both LEDs lit
• Diode failed open: neither LED lit
Challenge question: this circuit not only detects the presence of a good diode, but it also has the ability
to identify that diode’s polarity (which terminal is the cathode, and which terminal is the anode). Explain
how the circuit is able to do this.
Answer 24
Resistor curve
(with Y channel inverted)
OSCILLOSCOPE
vertical
Y
DC GND AC
V/div
trigger
timebase
X
DC GND AC
s/div
Diode curve
(with Y channel inverted)
OSCILLOSCOPE
vertical
Y
DC GND AC
V/div
trigger
timebase
X
DC GND AC
s/div
Challenge question: does it matter whether or not the AC source voltage for this circuit is perfectly
sinusoidal?
Answer 25
Gen
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Answer 26
Use three 1N4001 diodes connected in parallel, like this:
Follow-up question: while this solution should work (in theory), in practice one or more of the diodes
will fail prematurely due to overheating. The fix for this problem is to connect ”swamping” resistors in series
with the diodes like this:
Explain why these resistors are necessary to ensure long diode life in this application.
Answer 27
Use seven 1N4002 diodes connected in series, like this:
Follow-up question: while this solution should work (in theory), in practice one or more of the diodes
will fail prematurely due to overvoltage. The fix for this problem is to connect ”divider” resistors in parallel
Explain why these resistors are necessary to ensure long diode life in this application.
Answer 28
If possible, find a manufacturer’s datasheet for your components (or at least a datasheet for a similar
component) to discuss with your classmates.
Be prepared to prove the forward voltage drop of your diodes in class, by using a multimeter!
Answer 29
The motor would vibrate, as the shaft tries to rotate back and forth as quickly as the AC cycles.
Answer 30
The motor would spin in one direction, with a pulsing torque.
Follow-up question: identify the polarity of the DC voltage between the motor terminals.
85
Answer 31
The motor would spin in one direction, at least for a short moment in time. Then, something in the
circuit (either the diode or the power supply) would fail due to excessive current!
Follow-up question: identify the polarity of the DC voltage between the motor terminals, during that
brief period of time where all component are still functioning.
Answer 32
With the switch in the ”dim” position, the light bulb only receives power for one-half of the AC cycle.
Follow-up question: does it matter which way the diode is oriented in the circuit? If we reversed its
connections, would the light bulb behave any differently?
Answer 33
+
Load
Answer 34
Only one-half of the secondary winding powers the load at any given time.
This is a full-wave rectifier circuit.
Challenge question: what would have to change in this circuit to make it a half-wave rectifier?
86
Answer 35
Follow-up question: draw the direction of currents through the bridge rectifier for each half-cycle of the
AC power source, and determine the DC voltage polarity across the light bulb terminals.
Answer 36
Note: the voltage readings shown by the voltmeters are approximate only!
+ 115 VDC
Plug
"Hot" VΩ
A COM
115 VAC
"Neutral"
-58 VDC
VΩ
A COM
Challenge question: how could the 58 volts from (-) to ground be eliminated, so as to permit grounding
of the (-) output terminal?
Answer 37
The oscilloscope’s ”ground” clip (the alligator-style clip that serves as the second electrical connection
point on the probe) is electrically common to the metal chassis of the oscilloscope, which in turn is electrically
common with the safety ground conductor of the 120 volt AC power system.
87
Answer 38
1Ph2W2P 1Ph1W2P
3Ph2W6P
3Ph1W3P
1Ph1W1P
Answer 39
The four-diode bridge rectifies the AC load’s current into DC for the transistor to control.
88
Answer 40
Rectifier circuit
To AC Load
power source
Follow-up question: while this circuit should work (in theory), in practice one or more of the diodes will
fail prematurely due to overheating. The fix for this problem is to connect ”swamping” resistors in series
Rectifier circuit
(with "swamping" diodes)
To AC Load
power source
Explain why these resistors are necessary to ensure long diode life.
Answer 41
Most electric power distribution systems are AC, yet most electronic circuits function on DC power.
Answer 42
Transformers provide voltage/current ratio transformation, and also electrical isolation between the AC
line circuit and the DC circuit. The issue of isolation is a safety concern, as neither of the output conductors
in a non-isolated (direct) rectifier circuit is at the same potential as either of the line conductors.
Follow-up question: explain in detail how the issue of non-isolation could create a safety hazard if this
rectifier circuit were energized by an earth-grounded AC line circuit.
89
Answer 43
Vunfiltered
Vfiltered
A low pass filter is the kind needed to filter ”ripple voltage” from the power supply output.
Answer 44
The problem is that the vertical axis input is DC-coupled.
Follow-up question: predict the frequency of the ripple voltage in this power supply circuit.
Answer 45
The left-hand waveform was measured during a period of heavier loading.
Answer 46
This means the peak-to-peak ripple voltage is equal to 5% of the DC (average) voltage.
Answer 47
For linear power supplies (those designs having a transformer-rectifier-filter topology), the parameters
determining ripple frequency are line frequency and rectification pulses.
Answer 48
Vout = 19.6 volts
Vin
r
Vout = − 2Vf
0.707
Where,
Vout = DC output voltage, in volts
Vin = AC input voltage, in volts RMS
r = Transformer step-down ratio
Vf = Forward voltage drop of each diode, in volts
Follow-up question: algebraically manipulate this equation to solve for V in .
Answer 49
This means the difference between no-load output voltage and full-load output voltage is 2% of the
full-load output voltage.
Answer 50
The (unfiltered) output voltage will be half-wave, not full-wave.
90
Answer 51
”Remove all diodes from the circuit and test them individually” is not an acceptable answer to this
question. Think of a way that they could be checked while in-circuit (ideally, without having to shut off
power to the circuit).
Answer 52
The resistor R tends to limit the output current, resulting in less-than-optimal voltage regulation (the
output voltage ”sagging” under load). Better filter configurations include all forms of LC ripple filters,
including the popular ”pi” (π) filter.
Follow-up question: in some applications – especially where very large filter capacitors are used – it is
a good idea to place a series resistor before the capacitor. Such a resistor is typically rated at a low value so
as to not cause excessive output voltage ”sag” under load, but its resistance does serve a practical purpose.
Explain what this purpose might be.
Answer 53

3. VT P 2−T P 3 = 0 volts
4. VT P 4−T P 5 = 12.63 volts AC
5. VT P 5−T P 6 = 12.63 volts AC
6. VT P 7−T P 8 = 16.47 volts DC
7. VT P 9−T P 10 = 16.47 volts DC
Answer 54
The fuse is blown open.
Follow-up question: with regard to the troubleshooting technique, this technician seems to have started
from one end of the circuit and moved incrementally toward the other, checking voltage at almost every
point in between. Can you think of a more efficient strategy than to start at one end and work slowly toward
the other?
Answer 55
The transformer has an open winding.
Follow-up question #1: with regard to the troubleshooting technique, this technician seems to have
started from one end of the circuit and moved incrementally toward the other, checking voltage at almost
every point in between. Can you think of a more efficient strategy than to start at one end and work slowly
toward the other?
Challenge question: based on the voltage measurements taken, which do you think is the more likely
failure, an open primary winding or an open secondary winding?
Follow-up question #2: how could you test the two windings of the transformer for a possible open
fault? In other words, is there another type of measurement that could verify our hypothesis of a failed
winding?
91
Answer 56
There is an ”open” fault between TP4 and TP6.
Follow-up question: with regard to the troubleshooting technique, this technician seems to have started
from one end of the circuit and moved incrementally toward the other, checking voltage at almost every
point in between. Can you think of a more efficient strategy than to start at one end and work slowly toward
the other?
Answer 57
Output voltage
Input current
Challenge question: does the input current waveform shown here contain even-numbered harmonics (i.e.
120 Hz, 240 Hz, 360 Hz)?
Answer 58
XL = 0.0377 Ω (each)
XC = 120.6 kΩ (each)
Answer 59
The diode’s peak inverse voltage (”PIV”) rating is insufficient. It needs to be about 85 volts or greater
in order to withstand the demands of this circuit.
Follow-up question: suggest a part number for a diode capable of withstanding the reverse voltage
generated by this circuit, and able to handle at least 1 amp of continuous current.
Answer 60
Examples of ”split” or ”dual” power supply schematic diagrams abound in textbooks. I’ll let you do
the research here and present your answer(s) during class discussion!
Answer 61
A Schottky diode, otherwise known as a hot carrier diode, is formed by a junction of metal and N-type
semiconducting material. These diodes have less forward voltage drop, faster reverse-recovery time, more
reverse leakage current, and less reverse voltage capability than regular PN junction diodes.
92
Answer 62
Cathode
Schottky diode
Anode
I’ll let you research some of the typical applications of Schottky diodes.
Answer 63
PN junctions emit energy of a characteristic wavelength when conducting current. For some types of
PN junctions, the wavelengths are within the visible range of light.
Follow-up question: what practical application can you think of for this phenomenon?
Answer 64
The type of semiconductor materials used to make the PN junction determine the color of light emitted.
Challenge question: describe the relationship between LED color and typical forward voltage, in terms
of photon frequency, energy, and semiconductor band gap.
Answer 65
LED forward current is 20 mA. Forward voltage varies with color.
Answer 66
Rdropping = 1115 Ω, with a power rating of at least 0.446 watts (1/2 watt would be ideal).
Follow-up question: if there were no 1115 Ω resistors to choose from (which there most likely will not
be!), would it be safer to choose a higher-value resistor or a lower-value resistor for this application? For
example, if your only choices in 1/2 watt resistors were a 1 kΩ and a 1.2 kΩ, which one would you choose?
Explain your answer.
Answer 67
Cj is inversely related to V for a varactor diode.
Follow-up question: substitute the varactor diode capacitance equation into the standard resonant
frequency equation to arrive at one equation solving for frequency in terms of L and diode voltage V .
93
Answer 68
ID
Forward biased
VD
Reverse biased
breakdown
Challenge question: identify where the diode’s reverse saturation current may be found on this graph.
Answer 69
Zener diodes break down at substantially lower reverse voltages than rectifying diodes, and their
breakdown voltages are predictable.
Answer 70
In order to increase the load voltage, you must decrease the resistance of the rheostat. In order for this
scheme to work, the generator’s voltage must be greater than the target load voltage.
Note: this general voltage control scheme is known as series regulation, where a series resistance is
varied to control voltage to a load.
Answer 71
In order to increase the load voltage, you must increase the resistance of the rheostat. In order for this
scheme to work, the generator’s voltage must be greater than the target load voltage.
Note: this general voltage control scheme is known as shunt regulation, where a parallel (shunt) resistance
is varied to control voltage to a load.
Follow-up question: assuming the load voltage is maintained at a constant value by an astute rheostat
operator despite fluctuations in load current, how would you characterize the current through the generator’s
windings? Does it increase with load current, decrease with load current, or remain the same? Why?
94
Answer 72
The zener draws more or less current as necessary from the generator (through the series resistor) to
maintain voltage at a nearly constant value.
Follow-up question #1: if the generator happens to output some ripple voltage (as all electromechanical
DC generators do), will any of that ripple voltage appear at the load, after passing through the zener diode
voltage regulator circuit?
Follow-up question #2: would you classify the zener diode in this circuit as a series voltage regulator
or a shunt voltage regulator? Explain your answer.
Challenge question: at what point is the zener diode unable to regulate load voltage? Is there some
critical load condition at which the diode ceases to regulate voltage?
Answer 73
As the load current increases (with less load resistance), zener diode current decreases:
• Rload = 1 kΩ ; Izener = 14.7 mA
• Rload = 910 Ω ; Izener = 14.2 mA
Follow-up question: what value of load resistance will result in zero current through the zener diode
(while still maintaining an output voltage of 5.1 volts)?
Answer 74
As the source voltage decreases, zener diode current also decreases:
• Vsource = 25 V ; Izener = 41.49 mA
• Vsource = 5 V ; Izener = 0 mA
Follow-up question: what value of source voltage input will result in zero current through the zener
diode (while still maintaining an output voltage of 5.1 volts)?
Answer 75
Rseries
Vsource Rload
Series network of
normal diodes
95
Answer 76
There will be no load voltage regulation for any load resistance values less than 15 kΩ.
Follow-up question: calculate the power dissipated by all components in this circuit, if R load = 30 kΩ.
Challenge question: write an equation solving for the minimum load resistance required to maintain
voltage regulation.
Answer 77
Low-voltage zener diodes have negative temperature coefficients, because they exploit the zener effect.
High-voltage zener diodes have positive temperature coefficients, because they exploit the avalanche effect.
I’ll let you research how to tell the difference between zener diodes employing each phenomenon on your
own!
Challenge question: explain the difference between the ”zener” and ”avalanche” effects, in terms of
charge carrier action.
Answer 78
Two zener diodes provide better stability than a single zener diode because the thermal coefficients of
the diodes in their respective modes are complementary. This assumes, of course, that the reverse-biased
diode uses the avalanche effect to regulate voltage.
A functioning voltage regulator circuit might look like this:
Vout
Answer 79
This is a nasty, trick question! The physical appearance of any semiconductor component is a poor
indication of its identity. Many small zener diodes are packaged in clear bodies, but this does not mean all
clear-bodied diodes are zeners, nor that all zeners are found in clear packages! The part number of a diode
is the only reliable indicator of its identity.
Follow-up question: the physical size of a component is often an indication of what performance
parameter?
Answer 80
∆Ediode dEdiode
Zzener = ∆Idiode or Zzener = dIdiode
(The ”d” is a calculus symbol, representing a change of infinitesimal magnitude.)
Ideally, a zener diode will have a zener impedance of zero ohms.
96
Answer 81
Metal plate Metal plate
OH-
H+
Follow-up question: which of these metal plates would we call the cathode, and which would we call the
anode?
Answer 82
This is a ”trick” question, as there are two accepted ways of denoting the direction of electric current:
conventional flow (sometimes called hole flow), and electron flow.
Answer 83
Battery
electron conventional
conventional electron
Lamp
Answer 84
One example is conduction in a fluid electrolyte solution, where you often have both positively-charged
ions and negatively-charged ions (moving in opposite directions!) constituting the motion of electric charge.
Answer 85
I’ll let you research this on your own!
97
Answer 86
The arrowhead represents the presence of a PN junction, the direction of that arrow always pointing in
the direction that conventional flow would go if the junction were forward-biased.
The situation is a bit more complex than simply saying that the arrow points in the direction of
conventional flow (the standard answer). For a semiconductor device (diode, transistor, thyristor, etc.), an
arrowhead represents a PN junction, with the fat end of the arrowhead representing the ”P” side and the
pointed end representing the ”N” side. This much is unambiguous:
Diode PN junction and symbol
P N
However, there is at least one device whose normal direction of current (in conventional flow) goes
against this arrow: the zener diode.
Zener diode PN junction and symbol
P N
This example can be quite confusing, because the diode is designed to break down in reverse-bias mode.
Zener diodes can and will conduct when forward-biased, just like any other diode, but what makes them
useful is their reverse-bias behavior. So although it is definitely easier for current to go the ”correct” way
through a zener diode (arrowhead in the direction of conventional flow), the normal operating direction of
current is opposite.
Some semiconductor devices use arrowheads to denote the presence of a non-conducting PN junction.
Examples of this include JFETs and MOSFETs:
98
Like the zener diode, the PN junctions shown by the arrowheads in these symbols are designed to
operate in reverse-bias mode. Unlike the zener diode, however, the PN junctions within these devices are
not supposed to break down, and therefore normally carry negligible current. Here, the arrows represent
the direction that conventional flow would go, provided the necessary applied voltages to forward-bias those
junctions, even though these devices do not normally operate in that mode.
Answer 87
I will let pictures show the answer to this question:
Conventional flow shown Electron flow shown
Answer 88
Begin by drawing all currents in the more familiar notation of conventional flow, then reverse each and
every arrow!
Answer 89
As with most electron tubes, electron flow makes the most sense of a CRT’s operation.
99
Answer 90
Conventional Electron Conventional Conventional
Electron Electron Electron Conventional
Answer 91
Use circuit simulation software to verify your predicted and measured parameter values.
Answer 92
Answer 93
Answer 94
Answer 95
Answer 96
Be sure you meet with your instructor if you have any questions about what is expected for your project!
100
Answer 97
• Resistor R1 fails open: VT P 1 = no change (source voltage), VT P 2 = decrease to 0 volts, VT P 3 = decrease

to 0 volts.
• Resistor R2 fails open: VT P 1 = no change (source voltage), VT P 2 = increase to full source voltage, VT P 3
= decrease to 0 volts.
• Resistor R3 fails open: VT P 1 = no change (source voltage), VT P 2 = increase to full source voltage, VT P 3
= increase to full source voltage.
• Solder bridge (short) past resistor R2 : VT P 1 = no change (source voltage), VT P 2 = decrease, VT P 3 =
increase, VT P 2 = VT P 3 .
Answer 98
• Diode D1 fails open: No current in circuit, no voltage across R1 , full source voltage across D1 .
• Diode D1 fails shorted: Increased current in circuit, full source voltage across R 1 , little voltage across
D1 .
• Resistor R1 fails open: No current in circuit, no voltage across D1 , full source voltage across R1 .
• Solder bridge (short) past resistor R1 : Large current in circuit, no voltage across R1 , full source voltage
across D1 , D1 will most likely overheat and fail.
Answer 99
• Diode D1 fails open: No current in circuit, no voltage across R1 , no voltage across R2 , full source
voltage across D1 .
• Diode D1 fails shorted: Increased current in circuit, increased voltage across R 1 , increased voltage across
R2 , little voltage across D1 .
• Resistor R1 fails open: No current in circuit, no voltage across D1 , full source voltage across R1 , no
voltage across R2 .
• Resistor R2 fails open: No current in circuit, no voltage across D1 , no voltage across R1 , full source
voltage across R2 .
Answer 100
• Transformer T1 primary winding fails open: No current through any component, no voltage across any
secondary-side component.
• Transformer T1 primary winding fails shorted: Large current through fuse (which will cause it to blow),
little current through secondary winding or load, little voltage across secondary winding or load.
• Transformer T1 secondary winding fails open: No current through any secondary-side component, no
voltage across any secondary-winding component, little current through primary winding.
• Load fails shorted: Large current through fuse (which will cause it to blow), large current through
secondary winding and load, little voltage across secondary winding or load.
101
Answer 101
• Diode D1 fails open: Load resistor receives half-wave rectified power instead of full-wave, more voltage
across D1 .
• Diode D2 fails open: Load resistor receives half-wave rectified power instead of full-wave, more voltage
across D2 .
• Load resistor fails open: No current on secondary side of circuit, little current in primary side of circuit,
no voltage drop across either D1 or D2 .
• Transformer T1 primary winding fails open: No current or voltage anywhere on secondary side of circuit,
no current in primary side of circuit.
Answer 102
• Any one diode fails open: Half-wave rectification rather than full-wave, less DC voltage across load,
more ripple (AC) voltage across load.
• Transformer secondary winding fails open: no voltage or current on secondary side of circuit after C 1
discharges through load, little current through primary winding.
• Inductor L1 fails open: no voltage across load, no current through load, no current through rest of
secondary-side components, little current through primary winding.
• Capacitor C1 fails shorted: increased current through both transformer windings, increased current
through diodes, increased current through inductor, little voltage across or current through load, capacitor
and all diodes will likely get hot.
Answer 103
Shorted capacitor, open transformer winding (as a result of overloading), shorted diode(s) resulting in
blown fuse.
Answer 104
• Diode D1 fails open: Load receives 2-pulse rectification instead of 3-pulse, increased voltage across D 1 .
• Generator winding C fails open: Load receives 2-pulse rectification instead of 3-pulse, no current through
D3 .
• Center connection joining generator windings fails open: No voltage across any diode or across load, no
current through any diode or through load.
Answer 105
• Diode D3 fails open: Load receives 5-pulse rectification instead of 6-pulse, increased voltage across D 3 .
• Generator winding C fails open: Load receives 2-pulse rectification instead of 6-pulse, no current through
D5 or D6 .
• Center connection joining generator windings fails open: No voltage across any diode or across load, no
current through any diode or through load.
102
Answer 106
• Zener diode fails shorted: Little voltage across load, increased voltage across R series , increased current
through source and Rseries .
• Zener diode fails open: Increased voltage across load, decreased voltage across R series , decreased current
through source and Rseries .
• Series resistor fails open: No voltage across D1 or load, no current through D1 or load, no current
through source.
• Series resistor fails shorted: Full source voltage across load and D1 , greatly increased current through
D1 , increased current through source, D1 will most likely overheat and fail.
Answer 107
We may express quantities of AC voltage and current in terms of peak, peak-to-peak, average, or RMS.
Answer 108
50 volts DC applied to a 10 Ω load will dissipate 250 watts of power. 50 volts (peak, sinusoidal) AC
will deliver less than 250 watts to the same load.
Answer 109
120 volts AC RMS, by definition.
Answer 110
The RMS amplitude of this waveform is approximately 0.32 volts.
Answer 111
Epeak = 2.25 V
Epeak−to−peak = 4.50 V
ERM S = 1.59 V
f = 40 Hz
Answer 112
37.5 volts AC, RMS.
Answer 113
Vsecondary = 443.7 volts
Answer 114
Vsecondary = 59.6 volts
Answer 115
Iload = 23.77 mA Vload = 8.318 V
Answer 116
Isource = 187.5 mA Iload = 72.73 mA
Answer 117
An ”intrinsic” semiconducting material is absolutely pure. An ”extrinsic” semiconducting material has
dopant(s) added for enhanced conductivity.
103
Answer 118
The more concentrated the ”doping,” the greater the conductivity of the material.
Answer 119
A pentavalent dopant must be added to it, to create donor electrons.
Answer 120
A trivalent dopant must be added to it, to create acceptor holes.
Answer 121
Semiconducting materials have negative temperature coefficient of resistance (α) values, meaning that
their resistance decreases with increasing temperature.
104
Answer 122
Intrinsic (pure) semiconductor
Conduction band
Ef
Valence band
Conduction band
"Acceptor" holes Ef
Valence band
105
Conduction band
"Donor" electrons Ef
Valence band
Answer 123
The second pulse arose from a ”cloud” of holes injected into the N-type germanium bar from the point
contact emitter. Vdrif t provided an electric field to make these holes ”drift” from left to right through the
bar, where they were eventually detected by the collector point contact.
Answer 124
This is called the depletion region, and it is essentially an insulator at room temperatures.
Answer 125
This diode is reverse-biased.
Answer 126
Answer 127
If you obtained an answer of 2.16 mV for the ”thermal voltage,” you have the temperature figure in the
wrong units!
VD
ID = IS (e 0.0257N − 1)
106
Answer 128
K ≈ 0.04516
IS ≈ 2.869 nA
Hint: this may be a difficult problem to solve if you are unfamiliar with the algebraic technique of
dividing one equation by another. Here is the technique shown in general terms:
Given: y1 = ax1 y2 = ax2
y1 ax1
=
y2 ax2
From here, it may be possible to perform simplifications impossible before. I suggest using this technique
to solve for K first.
Follow-up question: explain how this student knew it was ”safe” to simplify the Shockley diode equation
by eliminating the ”- 1” term. Is this sort of elimination always permissible? Why or why not?
Answer 129
The junction capacitance will decrease as the reverse-bias voltage across the junction increases.
Challenge question: can you think of any practical applications for this variable-capacitance effect?
Answer 130
”Thermal resistance” is a measure of the heat differential required for a semiconductor component to
dissipate a given amount of power.
Answer 131
”Derating” means to downgrade the maximum power rating of a component, in a response to changes
in other factors affecting the component’s operation.
Answer 132
Diode failed shorted Diode failed open
107
Answer 133
This behavior is similar to that of a voltage source once it is forward-biased and conducting current.
Follow-up question: quite obviously, diodes do not behave exactly as voltage sources. You cannot power
anything off of a diode, for instance! Identify some of the limitations inherent to modeling diodes as voltage
sources. Are there any instances you can think of where such a model could be misleading?
Answer 134
Reverse Recovery Time (trr ) is a very important parameter limiting maximum rectification frequency.
Junction capacitance (Cj ) is another.
Answer 135
The energy of photons (light ”particles”) striking a PN semiconductor junction creates electron-hole
pairs, which then move in the direction that the depletion region’s electric field pushes them.
Challenge question: of what significance is the band gap of the PN junction to the efficiency of the cell?
108
Answer 136
24 volt zener diode curve
-80 -60 -40 -20 0 20 40 60 80

Volts
Answer 137
Silicon
diodes Vout
(The number of series-connected diodes required depends on the actual forward voltage drop of each
diode under loaded conditions.)
109
Answer 138
Gas discharge devices, like zener diodes, exploit the sharply vertical portions of their current/voltage
transfer functions to regulate voltage over a wide range of current:
Current/voltage function for

a "gas discharge" light bulb
Current (amps)
Voltage
(volts)
Current/voltage function for

a zener diode
Current (amps)
Reverse voltage
(volts)
110
Answer 139
• Imotor = 20 mA ; Pzener = 600 mW

Follow-up question: is load voltage maintained at 5 volts constant throughout this range of load currents
(from 20 mA to 150 mA)?
Answer 140
Technically, this circuit cannot be reduced to either a Thévenin or Norton equivalent, because the zener
diode is a nonlinear component. However, it is possible to create two different Thévenin equivalent circuits:
one representing the circuit when regulating voltage at Vzener , and the other representing the circuit when
the load resistance is below the critical value and the voltage is no longer being regulated:
While regulating at Vzener
0Ω
5.1 V
Rload
While overloaded (not regulating)
500 Ω
15 V
Rload
Answer 141
Oven-stabilized zeners are used for precision voltage references. I’ll let you research how they are
constructed and how they function.
Answer 142
The arcing is caused by inductive ”kickback,” and the diode prevents it by providing a complete circuit
for the inductor’s current to discharge through when the switch opens.
111
Answer 143
The ammeter will register a current of 4 mA.
Answer 144
Reactor
shutdown
controls
Challenge question: it would be nice if there were indicator lamps in the system to warn maintenance
personnel of a shorted power supply. Is there any way you can think of to place light bulbs in this system
somewhere, so that one will light up in the event of a power supply failure?
Answer 145
25 mV
r≈
I
112
Notes
Notes 1
Metals are by far the simplest materials to understand with reference to electrical conduction. Point out
to your students that it is this simplicity that makes metallic conduction so easy to mathematically model
(Ohm’s Law, E = IR).
Notes 2
It is no understatement to say that the advent of quantum theory changed the world, for it made possible
modern solid-state electronics. While the subject of quantum theory can be arcane, certain aspects of it are
nevertheless essential to understanding electrical conduction in semiconductors.
I cringe every time I read an introductory electronics textbook discuss electrons orbiting atomic nuclei
like tiny satellites ”held in orbit by electrostatic attraction and centrifugal force”. Then, a few pages later,
these books start talking about valence bands, conduction bands, forbidden zones, and a host of other
phenomenon that make absolutely no sense within the planetary model of the atom, but only make sense
in a quantum view (where electrons are only ”allowed” to inhabit certain, discrete energy states around the
nucleus).
In case none of your students are able to answer the challenge question, you may give them this hint:
gas-discharge lamps (neon, hydrogen, mercury vapor, sodium, etc.)!
Notes 3
Ask your students to think of analogies to illustrate this principle. Where else do we see multiple,
individual entities joining together to form a larger (continuous) whole?
Notes 4
I have given more information in the answer to this question than usual for me, because this subject is
rather complex. One of the themes I’m trying to communicate in this question is that semiconductors are
not just conductors with an unusually high amount of resistance. The mechanism of conduction in a pure
semiconductor is fundamentally different from that of a metal.
Though this can become confusing, electrical conduction in metallic substances actually has two different
forms: one where two electron bands overlap (permitting electrons to drift into the upper band and move
between atoms), and one where the highest ”unexcited” electron band is only partially filled (permitting
electrons to drift into the upper regions of that same band and move between atoms). Whether or not this
distinction is worthwhile to discuss in detail is a matter for you to decide.
Notes 5
I find it frustrating how many introductory electronics texts butcher the subject of semiconductor physics
in an effort to ”dumb it down” for technician consumption, when in fact these inaccuracies really obfuscate
the subject. Furthermore, I have yet to read (October 2004) an introductory text that even bothers to
mention substances other than silicon and germanium as semiconductors, despite a great deal of research
and development taking place in the field of semiconductor materials
Thankfully, the internet provides a wealth of up-to-date information on the subject, much of it simple
enough for beginning students to understand. This question is designed to get students researching sources
other than their (poorly written) textbooks.
113
Notes 6
Holes are difficult concepts to grasp for some students. An analogy I find helpful for explaining how the
absence of an electron may be though of as a particle is to refer to bubbles of air in water. When viewing
bubbles of air in a clear, water-filled tube, it sure seems as though the bubbles are discrete particles, even
though we know them to actually be voids where there is no water. And no one balks at the idea of assigning
direction and speed to bubbles, even though they are really nothing rather than something!
The principle of energy bands sloping due to the presence of an electric field is vitally important for
students to understand if they are to grasp the operation of a PN junction. An analogy that helps to visualize
the electron and hole motion is to think of the two bands (conduction and valence) as two different pipes
that can carry water. The upper pipe (the conduction band) is mostly empty, with only droplets of water
running downhill. The bottom pipe (the valence band) is mostly full of water, with air bubbles running
uphill.
One major point I wish to communicate here is that ”hole flow” is not just a mirror-image of electron
conduction. ”Hole flow” is a fundamentally different mechanism of electron motion. Electrons are the
only true charge carriers in any solid material, but ”holes” are commonly referred to as ”carriers” because
they represent an easy-to-follow marker of valence electron motion. By referring to ”holes” as entities unto
themselves, it better distinguishes the two forms of electron motion (conduction-band versus valence-band).
Something you might want to point out to students, if they haven’t already discovered it through their
own research, is that there is no such thing as ”hole flow” in metals. In metals, 100% of the conduction
occurs through conduction-band electrons. This phenomenon of dual-mode electron flow only occurs when
there is a band gap separating the valence and conduction bands. This is interesting to note, because many
texts (even some high-level engineering textbooks!) refer to ”conventional flow” current notation as ”hole
flow,” even when the current exists in metal wires.
Notes 7
The most important concept for students to grasp here is that the addition of impurities increases the
number of available charge carriers in a semiconducting substance. What was essentially an insulator in its
pure state may be made conductive to varying degrees by adding impurities.
Notes 8
When doping silicon and germanium substrates, the materials used are classified as either pentavalent
or trivalent substances. Ask your students which one of these terms refers to the greater valence number,
and which refers to the lesser valence number.
Notes 9
We speak of pure semiconductor materials, and of ”doping” pieces of semiconductor material with just
the right quantity and type(s) of dopants, but the reality is it is impossible to assure perfect quality control,
and thus there will be other impurities in any semiconductor sample.
Ask your students to specifically identify the majority and minority charge carriers for ”P” and ”N”
type extrinsic semiconductors. In each case, are they electrons, or holes?
Notes 10
It is sometimes helpful to use analogies for illustrative purposes. An analogy for Fermi level is to imagine
a pot of boiling water, where water molecules represent electrons and height represents energy level. Under
ambient temperature conditions, there are many water molecules (electrons) leaving the liquid surface, and
some that are returning to it. Cool the pot below the boiling point, however, and all the water molecules
return to the liquid where the uppermost level represents the Fermi level in a substance.
114
Notes 11
This is one of those concepts I just couldn’t understand when I had no comprehension of the quantum
nature of electrons. In the ”planetary” atomic model, there is no reason whatsoever for electrons to move
from the N-piece to the P-piece unless there was an electric field pushing them in that direction. And
conversely, once an electric field was created by the imbalance of electrons, the free-wheeling planetary
theory would have predicted that the electrons move right back where they came from in order to neutralize
the field.
Once you grasp the significance of quantized energy states, and the principle that particles do not ”hold
on” to unnecessary energy and therefore remain in high states when they could move down to a lower level,
the concept becomes much clearer.
Notes 12
Ask your students what effect this change in depletion layer thickness has on overall conductivity through
the PN junction. Under what conditions will the conductivity be greatest, and under what conditions will
the conductivity be least?
Notes 13
Here it is very important that students understand the effects an electric field has on energy bands.
Notes 14
Here it is very important that students understand the effects an electric field has on energy bands.
Notes 15
Students will probably ask why there are a few holes shown in the N-type valence band, and why there
are a few electrons in the P-type conduction band. Let them know that just because N-type materials
are specifically designed to have conduction-band electrons does not mean they are completely devoid of
valence-band holes, and visa-versa! What your students see here are minority carriers.
Notes 16
Ask your students how they would determine the size of resistor to use for this ”diode test” circuit.
Would be permissible to use any arbitrary value of resistor, or does the value matter significantly?
Notes 17
Review with your students what ”minority carriers” are, and apply this concept to the PN junction.
Trace the motions of these minority carriers, and compare them with the motions of majority carriers in a
forward-biased PN junction.
Notes 18
Ask your students to sketch their own renditions of an exponential curve on the whiteboard for all to
see. Don’t just let them get away with parroting the answer: ”It’s an exponential curve.”
Notes 19
I’ve seen too many students gain the false impression that silicon PN junctions always drop 0.7 volts, no
matter what the conditions. This ”fact” is emphasized so strongly in many textbooks that students usually
don’t think to ask when they measure a diode’s forward voltage drop and find it to be considerably different
than 0.7 volts! It is very important that students realize this figure is an approximation only, used for the
sake of (greatly) simplifying junction semiconductor circuit analysis.
115
Notes 20
Diodes are quite temperature-sensitive, so this experiment will be very easy to conduct. You may not
have ice available in your classroom, but that’s okay. Your students should realize that experiments such as
this are perfectly fair to perform at home, where they probably do have access to ice.
Notes 21
The answer to this question, if not found in a book, may be easily determined by direct experimentation.
I recommend students verify information about electronics through experimentation whenever possible, and
not rely solely on someone else’s documentation.
Notes 22
Be sure to ask your students where they found the information on these different diode models!
Discuss with your students the importance of this rating, and why a person might choose the 1N4007
diode for an application rather than the 1N4001, for instance.
Notes 23
This simple yet ingenious circuit (not my design, lest you think I’m conceited) serves the purpose of
illustrating diode rectification behavior, and provides a potential project for students to build and test.
Notes 24
There is a lot to discuss in this question. Not only does the concept of ”curve tracing” merit attention,
but the specific operation of this circuit is worthy of investigation as well. The reason I asked students to
determine the ”curve” for a resistor was to introduce them to the idea of graphing component current/voltage
functions, and also to allow them to analyze the circuit with a more linear component under test than a
semiconductor.
An important question to ask here is why channel Y of the oscilloscope must be inverted to obtain the
graphs shown. What would the graphs look like if the channel were not inverted?
The challenge question may be rephrased as, ”is the excitation voltage waveshape critical to obtaining
a precise curve?” One way to demonstrate this is to use a function generator as the excitation voltage source
(a transformer may be necessary to isolate the function generator ground from the oscilloscope ground!),
and to try different waveshapes, watching the responses on the oscilloscope screen.
Notes 25
This question provides a good opportunity to review the direction of current through a battery when
charging, versus when discharging. It also shows a way we can prevent the generator from ”motoring”
without having to use a reverse-current relay.
Notes 26
The answer to this question should not be much of a challenge to your students, although the follow-up
question is a bit challenging. Ask your students what purpose the swamping resistors serve. What do we
know about current through the diodes if one or more of them will fail due to overheating without the
swamping resistors?
What value of resistor would your students recommend for this application? What factors influence
their decision regarding the resistance value?
116
Notes 27
question is a bit challenging. Ask your students what purpose the divider resistors serve. What do we know
about voltage dropped across the diodes if one or more of them will fail without the divider resistors in
place?
Notes 28
The purpose of this question is to get students to kinesthetically interact with the subject matter. It
may seem silly to have students engage in a ”show and tell” exercise, but I have found that activities such
as this greatly help some students. For those learners who are kinesthetic in nature, it is a great help to
actually touch real components while they’re learning about their function. Of course, this question also
provides an excellent opportunity for them to practice interpreting component markings, use a multimeter,
access datasheets, etc.
Notes 29
Discuss this phenomenon with your students. Ask them whether they know of any other ”polarized”
(DC-only) devices. Ask them what they think would be necessary to make a DC-only device function on
AC power.
Notes 30
Ask your students why the motor’s torque pulsates instead of being steady as it would be when powered
by a battery. Is this necessarily a bad thing? How does the motor’s speed compare with being powered by
a DC source of the same (RMS-equivalent) voltage?
Notes 31
Ask your students why this circuit is self-destructive. If it functions as a rectifier for powering the DC
motor for a short period of time, then why doesn’t it function that way for an indefinite period of time?
Notes 32
Although this circuit is not very complex, it reveals an application of diode rectification often overlooked:
power control for non-polarized loads. Ask your students how the energy efficiency of a circuit like this
compares to a rheostat (resistive) light dimming circuit.
Notes 33
This question not only introduces a type of full-wave rectifying circuit, but it also serves as a good review
of transformer action and winding phase markings. I have omitted diagrams showing direction of currents
in this circuit, partly because they may be ascertained by way of the load resistor’s voltage polarity (shown
in the answer), and partly because I’d rather not have to choose between giving an answer in conventional
flow notation versus electron flow notation.
Notes 34
If this question is confusing to some students, take time to discuss the directions of all currents in the
circuit through both halves of the AC cycle. Then, the answer should be apparent.
117
Notes 35
Realistic connection problems such as this are much easier to solve in the presence of a schematic
diagram. If you have students who struggle with this question, make sure they take the time to draw a
schematic first. Finding a schematic diagram of a full-wave bridge rectifier circuit to copy is no challenge at
all. As a rule, I do not offer assistance to students with questions until they have at least taken this first step,
because so often they end up answering their own questions in the process of drawing a schematic diagram!
Notes 36
Direct rectification of a grounded AC power source results in significant voltage being dropped between
either DC output conductor and ground. Ask your students what kinds of problems might be caused by this
effect. How about safety? Ask them if they think 58 volts presents a safety hazard.
In answer to the challenge question, what is needed here is some kind of electrical isolation. There is
more than one answer to this problem, but definitely one solution that is more popular than the others.
Notes 37
The answer given here does not reveal everything. The student still must determine why grounding one
of the rectifier circuit’s output terminals results in a ground fault that blows the fuse. The observation of a
half-wave signal with just the probe tip touching the circuit is the big hint in this question.
Notes 38
The meaning of these labels can be confusing, so be sure to discuss them thoroughly with your students.
Have them tell you what ”Phases,” ”Ways,” and ”Pulses” mean, using their own words.
Notes 39
Usually, rectifier circuits are thought of exclusively as intermediary steps between AC and DC in the
context of an AC-DC power supply. They have other uses, though, as demonstrated by this interesting
circuit!
It should be of no consequence if students have not yet studied transistors. In fact, it is a good thing to
give them a very brief introduction to the function of a previously unknown component and then have them
examine a circuit (the rest of which they should understand well) to ascertain an overall function. This is
sometimes called the ”Black Box” approach in engineering, and it is necessary when working around state-
of-the-art electronic equipment, where you are practically guaranteed not to understand the inner workings
of every subsystem and component.
Notes 40
question is a bit challenging. Ask your students what purpose the swamping resistors serve in this circuit.
What do we know about current through the diodes if one or more of them will fail due to overheating
without the swamping resistors?
Notes 41
One factor not mentioned in the answer is circuit operating voltage. How do the operating voltages of a
typical AC power system and a typical electronic circuit (radio, alarm clock, computer) compare? Ask your
students what purpose a power supply has with regard to voltage.
Ask your students if the word ”supply” is truly appropriate for this type of circuit. Does it really supply
energy, or does it just convert energy from one form into another?
118
Notes 42
Many old television sets used such transformerless rectifier circuits to save money, but this meant the
metal circuit chassis inside the plastic cover was energized rather than being at ground potential! Very
dangerous for technicians to work on.
Notes 43
Many years ago, when I was first learning about power supplies, I tried to power an automotive radio
with voltage from a battery charger. The battery charger was a simple power supply suitable for charging
12-volt automotive batteries, I reasoned, so what harm would there be in using it to power an automotive
radio? After a few moments of LOUD humming from the radio speaker, my rhetorical question was answered
by a puff of smoke from the radio, then silence.
Part of the problem was the output voltage of the battery charger, but a large part of the problem was
the fact that the charger’s output was unfiltered as well. For the same reasons my radio did not function
properly on unfiltered, rectified AC, many electronic circuits will not function on it either.
Notes 44
As usual, what I’m looking for in an answer here is an explanation for what is happening. If a student
simply tells you, ”the vertical input is DC-coupled,” press them for more detail. What does it mean for the
input to be ”DC-coupled,” and why does this cause the line to disappear from the screen when we increase
the vertical sensitivity? What alternative do we have to ”DC coupling” on an oscilloscope?
One nice thing about oscilloscopes is that they cannot be damaged by ”pegging” the display, as can
analog multimeters. The same concept applies, though, and is useful in explaining to students why waveforms
disappear from the screen when the vertical sensitivity is too great.
Notes 45
Ask your students what the term ”loading” means in this context. Some of them may not comprehend
the term accurately, and so it is good to review just to make sure.
More importantly, discuss with your students why the ripple is more severe under conditions of heavy
loading. What, exactly, is happening in the circuit to produce this kind of waveform? If it is necessary for
us to maintain a low amount of ripple under this heavy loading, what must we change in the power supply
circuit?
Notes 46
The purpose of this question is to get students to look up the formula for calculating ripple voltage
percentage. Notice how I did not simply ask them to regurgitate a formula; rather, I presented a realistic
figure for them to interpret. When at all possible, try to format your questions in this sort of practical
context!
Notes 47
Note that I did not simply say the ripple frequency is equal to line frequency for half-wave rectification
and double the line frequency for full-wave. Such an answer is misleading, since it completely ignores
polyphase AC rectification!
119
Notes 48
It is important for students to understand where this equation comes from. Ask your students to explain,
step by step, the process of calculating output voltage for a simple power supply circuit. It is helpful in
this process to calculate the voltage at each ”stage” of the power supply (transformer primary, transformer
secondary, etc.), as though we were building the circuit one component at a time.
Incidentally, the method of building a project (such as a power supply) in a step-by-step fashion rather
than all at once, saves a lot of time and effort when things go wrong. The same ”step-by-step” strategy
works well for mathematical analysis, and other problem-solving tasks as well: try to analyze the circuit one
”block” at a time instead of the whole thing at once.
Notes 49
The purpose of this question is to get students to look up the formula for calculating voltage regulation
percentage. Notice how I did not simply ask them to regurgitate a formula; rather, I presented a realistic
figure for them to interpret. When at all possible, try to format your questions in this sort of practical
context!
Notes 50
A question such as this is best discussed while viewing the schematic diagram for a bridge rectifier.
I recommend projecting an image of a bridge rectifier circuit on a whiteboard, then having students use
dry-erase markers to ”mark up” the schematic with arrows for current, voltage drop indications, etc. This
way, mistakes can be corrected, or alternate cycles erased and re-drawn, without having to erase and re-draw
the schematic diagram itself.
Notes 51
A common tendency for students is to troubleshoot using the ”shotgun approach,” which is to
remove each component one-by-one and test it. This is a very time-intensive and inefficient method
of troubleshooting. Instead, students need to develop diagnostic procedures not requiring removal of
components from the circuit. At the very least, there should be some way we can narrow the range of
possibilities using in-circuit tests prior to removing components.
Notes 52
Challenge your students with this question: is this the right kind of filter circuit (low pass, high pass,
band pass, band stop) to be using, anyway? This question presents a good opportunity to review basic filter
theory.
The follow-up question asks students to think carefully about the possible positive benefits of having a
series resistor before the capacitor as shown in the student’s original design. If your students are experiencing
difficulty understanding why a resistor would ever be necessary, jog their memories with this formula:
dv
i=C
dt
Notes 53
Before one can troubleshoot a malfunctioning circuit, one must know what voltages and currents
are supposed to be in various portions of the circuit. This question, therefore, is a prelude to further
troubleshooting questions.
Notes 54
Troubleshooting scenarios are always good for stimulating class discussion. Be sure to spend plenty
of time in class with your students developing efficient and logical diagnostic procedures, as this will assist
them greatly in their careers.
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Notes 55
Students may be puzzled by the presence of DC voltage between TP7 and TP8, and also between
TP9 and TP10 (1.1 volts), given that there is less than that amount of AC voltage at the rectifier’s input.
However, this is a common phenomenon with electrolytic capacitors, to ”recover” a small voltage after having
been discharged.
Notes 56
Notes 57
In a filtered DC power supply, the only time current is drawn from the rectifier is when the filter
capacitor charges. Thus, the only time you see input current above and beyond the magnetizing current
waveform is when the capacitor voltage requires charging.
Note that although the (sinusoidal) magnetizing current waveform is 90 o out of phase with the voltage
waveform, the input current transients are precisely in-phase with the current transients on the transformer’s
secondary winding. This reviews an important principle of transformers: that whatever primary current is the
result of secondary winding load is in-phase with that secondary load current. In this regard, a transformer
does not act as a reactive device, but a direct power-coupling device.
Note also that after the initial surge (rising pulse edge) of current, the input current waveform follows
a different curve from the voltage waveform, because i = C dv dt for a capacitor.
In case you haven’t guessed by now, there is a lot of stuff happening in this circuit! I would consider
this question to be ”advanced” for most introductory-level courses, and may be skipped at your discretion.
Notes 58
Ask your students how they determined the identity of this filter. Are they strictly memorizing filter
configurations, or do they have a technique for determining what type of filter circuit it is based on basic
electrical principles (reactance of components to different frequencies)? Remind them that rote memorization
is a very poor form of learning!
Notes 59
If students experience difficulty calculating the necessary PIV rating for this circuit’s diode, ask them to
analyze the peak output from the transformer’s secondary winding for each half-cycle of the AC waveform,
noting the voltage drops across all circuit components. Once a full-cycle voltage analysis is performed for
all circuit components, the necessary diode rating should become obvious.
Though it may not be obvious at first reading, this question may actually serve as a lead-in for discussing
voltage multiplier circuits. The fact that the diode experiences a reverse voltage twice that of the peak AC
voltage is something we may exploit!
Another reliability factor most students won’t recognize in this circuit is the ”inrush” current experienced
by the diode every time the circuit is powered up and the capacitor recharges. Certainly, the diode was not
properly rated for the reverse voltage it was being subjected to, but this might not be the only form of abuse!
If time permits, discuss this possibility as well.
Notes 60
Students need not provide details of voltage regulation, but merely show how AC from a center-tapped
transformer winding may be rectified into two distinct DC outputs with a common ”ground” connection.
121
Notes 61
Ask your students if they happened to research any datasheets for Schottky diodes, and if they have
parameters to compare against typical PN junction rectifying diodes such as the 1N400x series.
Notes 62
Ask your students to explain why the applications of Schottky diodes are well suited for these diodes’
unique capabilities. What is it about the typical applications that make use of these diodes’ fast reverse-
recovery times and/or low forward voltage drop?
Note to your students that the schematic symbol for a Schottky diode is easily confused with the
schematic symbol for a zener diode. Pay close attention to the symbol!
Notes 63
The practical application of this phenomenon should be obvious, and it is very commonplace in modern
electronic equipment. Discuss with your students the energy-efficiency of this light emission as compared to
an incandescent lamp.
Notes 64
Ask your students to identify some common LED materials and colors, and of course cite their sources
as they do. The challenge question may be readily answered through experimentation with different LED
colors, although a physics-based explanation will take some additional research. This kind of experiment is
very easy to conduct in class, together.
If time permits, you might wish to mention Albert Einstein’s contribution to this aspect of physics: his
formulation for the energy carried by a photon (a quantum) of light:
E = hf
Where,
E = Energy carried by photon, in Joules
h = Planck’s constant, 6.63 × 10−34 J·s
f = Frequency of light, in Hertz ( 1s )
Typical frequencies for visible light colors range from 4 × 1014 Hz for red, to 7.5 × 1014 Hz for violet.
Notes 65
Be sure to ask students where they obtained their information, and what some of the forward voltage
drops are for different color LEDs.
Notes 66
The follow-up question is a very practical one, for it is seldom that you have the exact components
on-hand to match the requirements of a circuit you are building. It is important to understand which way
is safer to err (too large or too small) when doing ”as-built” design work.
Notes 67
This question reinforces students’ understanding of the mathematical terms direct and inverse, as well
as review basic PN junction theory and capacitor theory.
Notes 68
Ask your students to identify the region of the curve described by Shockley’s diode equation. The
exponential form of that equation really only models one definite portion of the curve!
122
Notes 69
Ask students what zener diodes would likely be used for. Why would we need or desire a device with a
stable breakdown voltage?
Notes 70
The direction of rheostat adjustment should be obvious, as is the fact that the generator’s voltage must
be at least as high as the intended (target) load voltage. However, it may not be obvious to all that the
generator’s voltage cannot merely be equal to the intended load voltage.
To illustrate the necessity of this, ask your students how the system would work if the generator’s output
voltage was exactly equal to the intended load voltage. Emphasize the fact that the generator is not perfect:
it has its own internal resistance, the value of which cannot be changed by you. What position would the
rheostat have to be in, under these conditions, in order to maintain target voltage at the load? Could the
target voltage be maintained at all?
Notes 71
The direction of rheostat adjustment should be obvious, as is the fact that the generator’s voltage must
be at least as high as the intended (target) load voltage. However, it may not be obvious to all that the
generator’s voltage cannot merely be equal to the intended load voltage.
To illustrate the necessity of this, ask your students how the system would work if the generator’s output
voltage was exactly equal to the intended load voltage. Emphasize the fact that the generator is not perfect:
it has its own internal resistance, the value of which cannot be changed by you. What position would the
rheostat have to be in, under these conditions, in order to maintain target voltage at the load? Could the
target voltage be maintained at all?
A helpful analogy for students is that of a car with an automatic transmission, with its speed being
controlled by the brake pedal while the accelerator pedal is maintained at a constant position. This is not
the most energy-efficient method of speed control, but it will work within certain limits!
Notes 72
Ask your students to describe how energy-efficient they think this circuit is. Do they suspect it would
be more suitable for low-current applications or high-current applications?
Notes 73
This exercise in current calculation is supposed to get students to realize the inverse relationship between
load current and zener current: that the zener diode regulates voltage by acting as a parasitic load of varying
proportion. Simply put, the diode loads down the circuit as much as needed to maintain a stable voltage at
the load terminals.
It should be noted that the calculated answers shown here will not precisely match a real zener diode
circuit, due to the fact that zener diodes tend to gradually taper off in current as the applied voltage nears
the zener voltage rating rather than current sharply dropping to zero as a simpler model would predict.
The follow-up question is very important. All zener diode regulator circuits have a minimum load
resistance value that must be adhered to, lest the output voltage droop below the regulation point. Discuss
with your students how the zener diode’s ”loading” behavior explains the need for a certain minimum load
resistance value.
123
Notes 74
This exercise in current calculation is supposed to get students to realize the inverse relationship between
input voltage and zener current: that the zener diode regulates voltage by acting as a parasitic load of varying
proportion. Simply put, the diode loads down the circuit as much as needed to maintain a stable voltage at
the load terminals.
The follow-up question is very important. All zener diode regulator circuits have a minimum input
voltage value that must be adhered to, lest the output voltage droop below the regulation point. Discuss
with your students how the zener diode’s ”loading” behavior explains the need for a certain minimum source
voltage.
Notes 75
I have actually done this before in home-made circuitry. Voltage regulation isn’t that good (especially
the temperature dependence), but it is better than no regulation at all!
Notes 76
For those students struggling with the ”greater than”/”less than” issue, suggest to them that they
imagine the load resistance assuming extreme values: first 0 ohms, and then infinite ohms. After they do
this, ask them to determine under which of these extreme conditions is the load voltage regulation still
maintained.
Performing ”thought experiments” with extreme component values is a highly effective problem-solving
technique for many applications, and is one you should stress to your students often.
It should be noted that the calculated answer shown here will not precisely match a real zener diode
Notes 77
Regular ”rectifying” diodes also have temperature coefficients. Ask your students to identify whether the
temperature coefficient for a rectifying diode is typically positive or negative, and what this actually means.
It is very easy to experimentally verify this, so you may want to ask your students to demonstrate how to
determine the sign of a rectifying diode’s temperature coefficient as a prelude to reviewing the experimental
portion of the original question.
Ask your students to identify the typical voltage values associated with both types of breakdown effect.
This will quickly reveal which students did their research for this question, as opposed to those who merely
read the answer given here!
Notes 78
Some students may become confused by the word ”complementary” as it is used in the answer. Ask all
your students to explain what this word means, in the context of two temperature coefficients and increased
stability.
Notes 79
I usually do not ask ”trick” questions such as this, but occasionally they work really well to get the
point across.
Notes 80
Ask your students to relate a diode’s zener impedance to the slope of its characteristic curve.
124
Notes 81
The scenario shown is not academic – it is what happens when an electric field is applied to water. The
dissociated ions move in opposite directions, liberating hydrogen gas at the negative electrode and oxygen
gas at the positive.
Notes 82
This question breaches one of the more contentious subjects in electricity/electronics: which way do
we denote the direction of current? While there is no debate as to which direction electrons move through
a metal conductor carrying current, there are two different conventions for denoting current travel, one of
which goes in the direction of electrons and the other which goes against the direction of electrons. The
reason for having these two disparate conventions is embedded in the history of electrical science, and what
your students find in their research will likely fuel an interesting conversation.
Notes 83
In case anyone asks, the little circles with the letter ”e” inside are supposed to represent electrons. Kind
of silly, I know, but I was looking for some way of clearly distinguishing one direction from the other without
just relying on the text labels.
Notes 84
Other examples exist, so do not accept the given answer as the only answer!
Note: some students may suggest holes in semiconductors as an example of positive charge-carriers.
This is technically not true, though. A ”hole” does not exist as a real particle of matter. It is an abstraction,
used by solid-state physicists and engineers to differentiate conduction-band electron motion (”electrons”)
from valence-band electron motion (”holes”).
Notes 85
There are plenty of information sources for students to research on this topic. Ask them where they
found their facts!
Notes 86
Your students can see how confusing this can be, with arrowheads sometimes representing direction
of current and sometimes not. In a semiconductor device, an arrowhead simply represents a PN junction,
with the direction of that arrowhead representing how conventional flow would go if that PN junction were
forward-biased.
Then, of course, we have the symbol for a current source, whose arrow always points in the direction of
conventional flow.
It should become apparent that conventional flow is the easiest approach when working with
semiconductor devices. There are many people (technicians, especially) who successfully apply electron flow
to the analysis of semiconductor devices, but they have to train themselves to think ”against the arrow.”
This adds one more level of confusion to an already (potentially) confusing topic, which is why I personally
choose to teach conventional flow when first exposing students to semiconductor devices.
Any way you approach this subject, it is a sad state of affairs!
Notes 87
It is important to remember that there is only one convention for using ”+” and ”-” symbols to designate
the polarity of a voltage drop (thankfully!).
125
Notes 88
A good strategy might be to use a pencil and lightly draw the arrows in the direction of conventional
flow, then over-draw those arrows in the reverse direction using more hand pressure (making a darker line).
It should go without saying that this technique works just as well for the person who is more comfortable
with electron flow notation, but must switch to conventional flow for some reason.
Notes 89
The answer given provides a clue as to why electron flow notation is still popular among technicians and
the institutions that train them. There is a legacy of electron-flow-based instruction originating from the
days when vacuum tubes were the predominant active component in electronic circuits. If you are teaching
the operation of these devices in the simplest terms, so that non-engineers can understand them, it would
make the most sense to standardize on a notation for current that follows the actual electrons. Electrical
engineers, on the other hand, established their own convention for designating direction of current before
the electron was even discovered, which is why that branch of electrical science still denotes the direction of
current opposite the direction of electron motion.
Notes 90
The only clues as to notation are the arrows. Students may not be at the point where they can recognize
the proper directions of current for the non-arrowed component terminals, but at least they should be able
to compare the current arrows against the component symbol arrows and see whether there is agreement
(conventional flow) or disagreement (electron flow).
Notes 91
Use a variable-voltage, regulated power supply to supply any amount of DC voltage below 30 volts.
Specify standard resistor values, all between 1 kΩ and 100 kΩ (1k5, 2k2, 2k7, 3k3, 4k7, 5k1, 6k8, 10k, 22k,
33k, 39k 47k, 68k, etc.). I recommend using one of the 1N400X series of rectifying diodes for their low cost
and ruggedness.
An extension of this exercise is to incorporate troubleshooting questions. Whether using this exercise as
a performance assessment or simply as a concept-building lab, you might want to follow up your students’
results by asking them to predict the consequences of certain circuit faults.
126
Notes 92
I recommend using 1N400X series rectifying diodes for all rectifier circuit designs. Make sure that the
resistance value you specify for your load is not so low that the resistor’s power dissipation is exceeded.
Watch out for harmonics in the power line voltage creating problems with RMS/peak voltage
relationships. If this is a problem, try using a ferroresonant transformer to filter out some of the harmonic
content. Do not try to use a sine-wave signal generator as an alternate source of AC power, because most
signal generators have internal impedances that are much too high for such a task.
It is difficult to precisely calculate the DC load voltage from a rectifier circuit such as this when the
transformer secondary voltage is relatively low. The diodes’ forward voltage drop essentially distorts the
rectified waveform so that it is not quite the same as what you would expect a full-wave rectified waveform
to be:
Ideal rectified Actual rectified

wave-shape wave-shape
Accurate calculation of the actual rectified wave-shape’s average voltage value requires integration of
the half-sine peak over a period less than π radians, which may very well be beyond the capabilities of your
students. This is why I request approximations only on this parameter.
One approximation that works fairly well is to take the AC RMS voltage (in this case, half of the
secondary winding’s output, since this is a center-tap design), convert it to average voltage (multiply by
0.9), and then subtract the forward junction voltage lost by the diode (0.7 volts typical for silicon).
127
Notes 93
I recommend using 1N400X series rectifying diodes for all rectifier circuit designs. Make sure that the
resistance value you specify for your load is not so low that the resistor’s power dissipation is exceeded.
Watch out for harmonics in the power line voltage creating problems with RMS/peak voltage
relationships. If this is a problem, try using a ferroresonant transformer to filter out some of the harmonic
content. Do not try to use a sine-wave signal generator as an alternate source of AC power, because most
signal generators have internal impedances that are much too high for such a task.
It is difficult to precisely calculate the DC load voltage from a rectifier circuit such as this when the
transformer secondary voltage is relatively low. The diodes’ forward voltage drop essentially distorts the
rectified waveform so that it is not quite the same as what you would expect a full-wave rectified waveform
to be:
Ideal rectified Actual rectified

wave-shape wave-shape
Accurate calculation of the actual rectified wave-shape’s average voltage value requires integration of
the half-sine peak over a period less than π radians, which may very well be beyond the capabilities of your
students. This is why I request approximations only on this parameter.
One approximation that works fairly well is to take the AC RMS voltage, convert it to average voltage
(multiply by 0.9), and then subtract the total forward junction voltage lost by the diode (0.7 volts per diode
typical for silicon, for a total of 1.4 volts).
128
Notes 94
Specify standard load resistor values, all between 1 kΩ and 100 kΩ (1k5, 2k2, 2k7, 3k3, 4k7, 5k1, 6k8, 10k,
22k, 33k, 39k 47k, 68k, etc.), and let the students determine the proper resistance values for their series
dropping resistors.
I recommend specifying a series resistor value (Rseries ) high enough that there will little danger in
damaging the zener diode due to excessive supply voltage, but also low enough so that the normal operating
current of the zener diode is great enough for it to drop its rated voltage. If Rseries is too large, the
zener diode’s current will be too small, resulting in lower than expected voltage drop and poorer regulation
(operating near the flatter end of the characteristic curve).
Values I have used with success are as follows:
• Rseries = 1 kΩ
• Rload = 10 kΩ
• Vzener = 5.1 volts (diode part number 1N4733)
• Vsupply = 12 volts
Measuring the minimum supply voltage is a difficult thing to do, because students must look for a
point where the output voltage begins to directly follow the input voltage (going down) instead of holding
relatively stable. One interesting way to measure the rate of output voltage change is to set a DMM on
the AC voltage setting, then use that to measure Vload as Vsupply is decreased. While turning the voltage
adjustment knob on Vsupply at a steady rate, students will look for an increase in AC voltage (a greater rate
dVload
of change) at Vload . Essentially, what students are looking for is the point where dV supply
begins to increase.
Notes 95
Have students calculate the necessary current-limiting resistor for their LEDs based on measured values of
Vf orward for the LED (using a multimeter with a ”diode-check” function). Let students research the typical
forward current for their LED from an appropriate datasheet. Any LED should suffice for this activity.
Notes 96
The purpose of this assessment rubric is to act as a sort of “contract” between you (the instructor) and
your student. This way, the expectations are all clearly known in advance, which goes a long way toward
disarming problems later when it is time to grade.
Notes 97
The purpose of this question is to approach the domain of circuit troubleshooting from a perspective of
knowing what the fault is, rather than only knowing what the symptoms are. Although this is not necessarily
a realistic perspective, it helps students build the foundational knowledge necessary to diagnose a faulted
circuit from empirical data. Questions such as this should be followed (eventually) by other questions asking
students to identify likely faults based on measurements.
129
Notes 98
Notes 99
Notes 100
Notes 101
Notes 102
Notes 103
Remind your students that test instrument readings are not the only viable source of diagnostic data!
Burnt electronic components usually produce a strong and easily-recognized odor, always indicative of
overheating. It is important to keep in mind that often the burnt component is not the original source
of trouble, but may be a casualty of some other component fault.
Notes 104
130
Notes 105
Notes 106
Notes 107
Before you discuss ”RMS” values with your students, it is important to cover the basic idea of how to
assign fixed values to quantities that change over time. Since AC waveforms are cyclic (repeating), this is
not as difficult to do as one might think.
Notes 108
There are many analogies to explain this discrepancy between the two ”50 volt” sources. One is to
compare the physical effort of a person pushing with a constant force of 50 pounds, versus someone who
pushes intermittently with only a peak force of 50 pounds.
Notes 109
Ask your students, ”how much peak voltage is the AC power source outputting? More or less than 120
volts?”
If one of your students claims to have calculated the peak voltage as 169.7 volts, ask them how they
arrived at that answer. Then ask if that answer depends on the shape of the waveform (it does!). Note that
the question did not specify a ”sinusoidal” wave shape. Realistically, an adjustable-voltage AC power supply
of substantial power output will likely be sinusoidal, being powered from utility AC power, but it could be
a different wave-shape, depending on the nature of the source!
Notes 110
Students must properly interpret the oscilloscope’s display, then correctly convert to RMS units, in
order to obtain the correct answer for this question.
Notes 111
This question is not only good for introducing basic oscilloscope principles, but it is also excellent for
review of AC waveform measurements.
Notes 112
Transformer winding calculations are simply an exercise in mathematical ratios. If your students are
not strong in their ratio skills, this question provides an application to sharpen them!
Notes 113
131
Notes 114
Notes 115
Most transformer problems are nothing more than ratios, but some students find ratios difficult to
handle. Questions such as this are great for having students come up to the board in the front of the
classroom and demonstrating how they obtained the results.
Notes 116
Most transformer problems are nothing more than ratios, but some students find ratios difficult to
handle. Questions such as this are great for having students come up to the board in the front of the
classroom and demonstrating how they obtained the results.
Notes 117
Just a simple definition here, nothing more. This is easily referenced in any introductory textbook.
Notes 118
A couple of technical terms are used in this question (doping, extrinsic). Be sure to ask your students
what they mean, if only for the sake of review. Also, ask your students to relate their answer in terms of
charge carriers.
Notes 119
Nothing much to comment on here, as this sort of question may be easily answered through research of
any introductory textbook.
Notes 120
Nothing much to comment on here, as this sort of question may be easily answered through research of
any introductory textbook.
Notes 121
The answer to this question is a short review on temperature coefficients of resistance (α), for those
students who may not recall the subject from their DC circuit studies. As always, though, the most important
point of this question is why conductivity increases for semiconductors. Ask your students to relate their
answer to the concept of charge carriers in semiconducting substances.
An interesting bit of trivia you could mention to your students is that glass – normally an excellent
insulator of electricity – may be made electrically conductive by heating. Glass must be heated until it is red-
hot before it becomes really conductive, so it is not an easy phenomenon to demonstrate. I found this gem
of an experiment in an old book: Demonstration Experiments in Physics, first edition (fourth impression),
copyright 1938, by Richard Manliffe Sutton, Ph.D.
Notes 122
Note how much the Fermi level is affected by the addition of dopants to an otherwise pure semiconducting
material. Understanding this effect is critical to the understanding of PN semiconductor junctions.
132
Notes 123
This tidbit of semiconductor history was found in Electronics for Scientists and Engineers, by R. Ralph
Benedict, on pages 113 and 114. Like many other engineering textbooks of the 1950’s and 1960’s, this
publication is at once a treasure trove of technical information and a model of clarity. I only wish the
technician-level textbooks of today could be so lucid as the engineering-level textbooks of decades ago. As
you might have guessed, I enjoy haunting used book stores in search of vintage engineering texts!
Notes 124
Students should know that both ”N” and ”P” type semiconductors are electrically conductive. So, when
a depletion region forms in the contact zone between two differing semiconductor types, the conductivity
from end-to-end must be affected. Ask your students what this effect is, and what factors may influence it.
Notes 125
Nothing much to comment on here!
Notes 126
Nothing much to comment on here!
Notes 127
Of course, students will have to research the difference between degrees Kelvin and degrees Celsius to
successfully calculate the thermal voltage for the junction. They will also have to figure out how to substitute
this figure in place of q, k, and T in the original equation. The latter step will be difficult for students not
strong in algebra skills.
For those students, I would suggest posing the following question to get them thinking properly about
ab
algebraic substitution. Suppose we had the formula y = x cd , and we knew that cb could be written as m.
am
How would we substitute m into the original equation? Answer: y = x d .
Notes 128
The algebraic technique used to solve for K is very useful for certain types of problems.
Discuss the follow-up question with your students. It is important in the realm of technical mathematics
to have a good sense of the relative values of equation terms, so that one may ”safely” eliminate terms as a
simplifying technique without incurring significant errors. In the Shockley diode equation it is easy to show
that the exponential term is enormous compared to 1 for the values of Vdiode shown in the table (assuming
a typical value for thermal voltage), and so the ”- 1” part is very safe to eliminate.
Also discuss the idea of verifying the calculated values of K and IS with your students, to help them
cultivate a scientifically critical point of view in their study of electronics.
Incidentally, the data in this table came from a real experiment, set up exactly as shown by the schematic
diagram in the question. Care was taken to avoid diode heating by turning the potentiometer to maximum
resistance between readings.
Notes 129
This question is a good review of capacitor theory, and also an opportunity to introduce a special kind
of diode: the varactor.
133
Notes 130
Discuss the nature of heat with your students: that a differential temperature (∆T ) is required for
transfer of heat through a medium such as a solid. Compare this phenomenon with differences of electrical
potential (E) and electric current (I). How do we express an electrical conductor’s ability to carry a moving
charge under the influence of a potential difference?
Ask your students what difference it makes whether a semiconductor component has a high or a low
thermal resistance. What is ideal for a semiconductor device, a high thermal resistance or a low thermal
resistance? Why?
Notes 131
Discuss with your students why temperature is such a critical factor in semiconductor component
operation. What happens to a semiconductor junction when it is heated? What may happen if it is heated
too much?
Notes 132
Characteristic curves are not the easiest concept for some students to grasp, but they are incredibly
informative. Not only can they illustrate the electrical behavior of a nonlinear device, but they can also
be used to diagnose otherwise hard-to-measure faults. Letting students figure out what shorted and open
curves look like is a good way to open their minds to this diagnostic tool, and to the nature of characteristic
curves in general.
Although it is far from obvious, one of the oscilloscope channels will have to be ”inverted” in order for
the characteristic curve to appear in the correct quadrant(s) of the display. Most dual-trace oscilloscopes
have a ”channel invert” function that works well for this purpose. If engaging the channel invert function on
the oscilloscope flips the wrong axis, you may reverse the connections of the test device to the curve tracer
circuit, flipping both axes simultaneously. Between reversing device connections and reversing one channel
of the oscilloscope, you can get the curve to plot any way you want it to!
Notes 133
Modeling nonlinear semiconductor components in terms of linear, idealized passive components is a
time-honored ”trick” used to simplify circuit analysis. Like all ”tricks” and analogies, this one has definite
limitations. The follow-up question’s hint practically gives away examples of where such a model could be
misleading!
Notes 134
Ask your students to describe what the ”ideal” trr and Cj values would be for a diode with unlimited
rectification bandwidth.
Notes 135
There is quite a bit of detail that could be added to the account given in the answer. Ask your students
to supply some of this detail! There are many resources for learning how photovoltaic cells work, so your
students should have no trouble finding the information on their own.
Notes 136
The purpose of this question is to cause students to think about what a characteristic curve means, in
the context of diode comparisons. The breakdown voltage of a zener diode is typically so low compared to
that of a normal rectifying diode that this region may be easily shown on the curve tracer screen.
Notes 137
Some students may suggest to use normal diodes backwards, exploiting the reverse-breakdown
phenomenon common to all PN junctions. Whether or not this suggestion is made, ask your students
why it would not be a practical solution in this case.
134
Notes 138
The gas discharge lamp’s transfer function may be confusing to analyze at first, but it makes sense
once students recall the principle of gas ionization with increasing voltage. Ask them to explain what the
significance of each graph’s vertical portions is, in the context of voltage regulation.
Notes 139
The follow-up question is fairly important here, as students need to realize the limitations of zener-based
voltage regulators. Most importantly, are they able to calculate the exact current limit of a zener-based
voltage regulator – the point at which it stops regulating?
Notes 140
Some students may protest at the first Thévenin equivalent circuit (with a 0 ohm series resistance),
because this would be a perfect voltage source. In reality, there would be a very small series resistance
accounting for the slight voltage ”sag” experienced under changing loads within the regulation range, but
this is difficult to calculate.
Notes 141
Challenge your students to show you a datasheet for one of these devices!
Notes 142
This question provides an excellent opportunity to review inductor theory, particularly the direction of
current and the polarity of voltage for an inductor when charging versus when discharging. Analysis of this
circuit will be made easier by drawing a schematic diagram.
Notes 143
A very important point to ask your students is how they figured out the meter’s indication. What
circuit analysis technique did they use, and why?
Emphasize solving this problem without using a calculator to do the math. Are your students able to
determine the result by estimation alone? Does the input resistance factor into the calculation significantly?
Notes 144
Discuss both the nature of the problem, and of the solution, with your students. Why does the proposed
solution work to eliminate power failure in the event of a short-circuit internal to one of the power sources?
135
Notes 145
The result of this derivation is important in the analysis of certain transistor amplifiers, where the
dynamic resistance of the base-emitter PN junction is significant to bias and gain approximations. I show
the solution steps for you here because it is a neat application of differentiation (and substitution) to solve
a real-world problem:
I = IS (e40V − 1)
dI
= IS (40e40V − 0)
dV
dI
= 40IS e40V
dV
Now, we manipulate the original equation to obtain a definition for IS e40V in terms of current, for the
sake of substitution:
I = IS (e40V − 1)
I = IS e40V − IS
I + IS = IS e40V
Substituting this expression into the derivative:
dI
= 40(I + IS )
dV
Reciprocating to get voltage over current (the proper form for resistance):
dV 0.025
=
dI I + IS
Now we may get rid of the saturation current term, because it is negligibly small:
dV 0.025
≈
dI I
25 mV
r≈
I
The constant of 25 millivolts is not set in stone, by any means. Its value varies with temperature, and
is sometimes given as 26 millivolts or even 30 millivolts.
136

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ELTR 120 (Semiconductors 1), section 1

Troubleshooting practice problems

General concept practice and challenge problems

Skill standards addressed by this course section

D Technical Skills – Discrete Solid-State Devices

B Basic and Practical Skills – Communicating on the Job

Common areas of confusion for students

Difficult concept: Quantum physics.

Difficult concept: RMS versus peak and average measurements.

Difficult concept: Zener diode voltage regulator operation.

Difficult concept: Fourier analysis.

Based on these diagrams, answer the following questions:

Valence electron leaping

Doped with a "pentavalent" impurity

"Flatband" diagram -- temporary state!

Also, determine the polarity of DC voltage across the load resistor.

. . . to the rest of the

(Direction of current shown

Fuse 120 VAC

TP10 DC voltage output

120 VAC RMS Vout

The LED will become damaged

The answer is to use a series dropping resistor:

Varactor diode symbol

The voltage-dependent capacitance of this diode is given by the following equation:

Metal plate Metal plate

Control grids Electron "gun"

Competency: Rectifying diode behavior Version:

Vsupply = (see multiple values given below)

Given Predicted Measured

Given Predicted Measured

Competency: Full-wave center-tap rectifier Version:

Vsecondary = (VAC RMS) Rload =

Competency: Full-wave bridge rectifier Version:

Vsecondary = (VAC RMS) Rload =

Competency: Zener diode voltage regulator Version:

Competency: LED current limiting Version:

Show how you calculated the appropriate value for Rlimit

Draw the directions of both electron and conventional current

100 % (Must meet or exceed all criteria listed)

0% (If any of the following conditions are true)

• Resistor R1 fails open:

• Diode D1 fails open:

• Diode D1 fails open:

• Transformer T1 primary winding fails open:

• Diode D1 fails open:

• Any one diode fails open:

• Diode D1 fails open:

• Diode D3 fails open:

• Zener diode fails shorted:

2390 turns 710 turns

1400 turns 3610 turns

Intrinsic (pure) semiconductor

Doped with a "trivalent" impurity

Emitter current (from switch actuation)

Simple curve tracer circuit

Rectifying diode curve

Rectifying diode curve

Should we model the diode as . . . ?